Ranulph Fiennes ‘has returned to secluded farmhouse home’ after months spent living in care homes under fake names

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is believed to be living at his remote Shropshire farmhouse after speculation mounted that he had spent over a year living in different care homes under fake names.

Several friends and relatives of the famous explorer have raised concerns over his welfare after it emerged he had not been seen publicly in two years.

The 82-year-old was diagnosed in 2019 with Parkinson’s disease, with his wife Louise Milington-Coates holding the role of his sole attorney for health and welfare.

In recent weeks, she has been accused of isolating him from friends and family and moving him to several establishments in London, Cheshire and Wales under pseudonyms and refusing to divulge information about his whereabouts.

The owner of the Welsh care home sought advice from the Care Inspectorate Wales after becoming concerned about restrictions on his freedom. The regulator said that given he was unable to consent to his care, was under continuous supervision and control and was not free to leave, the arrangements amounted to a deprivation of his liberty.

Cheshire Police have said they are aware of the concerns regarding Sir Ranulph, and are satisfied he is living in an appropriate setting with suitable care.

They said there were “no immediate safeguarding concerns”.

The Times has now reported that Sir Ranulph is believed to have returned to his home in Shropshire, with the newspaper stating that they have seen footage showing the adventurer walking with a frame around the property.

His stepson, Alexander Millington-Coates, confirmed that it showed the couple but it was not possible to establish when it was filmed.

Several vehicles are currently parked on the drive, with the Daily Mail reporting that two modular buildings had recently been installed, which are allegedly for Sir Ranulph and a carer.

One neighbour said that Mrs Millington-Coates had previously come into her garden and ask for a bonfire to be extinguished, explaining that her husband had Parkinson’s.

“She said, ‘Do you know that my husband has Parkinson’s?’ and said they had to have the windows open and the smoke would not be good for him,” she said.

The King is among those who was reportedly blocked as he tried to check on the wellbeing of his long-time friend.

Famous friends of Sir Ranulph, including Bear Grylls, Ben Fogle, Joanna Lumley, John Simpson and Monty Don have spoken out about the situation in recent weeks, with growing calls for an investigation into his wellbeing by both the police and the Office of the Public Guardian.

During a stay at KYN Hurlingham in west London in July last year, he was visited by his former sister-in-law Arabella Pepper and his cousin, the actor Joseph Fiennes, after they tracked down his location.

He was moved a short while afterwards, and his friends have been unable to make contact.