Kelsey Grammer Is the Latest American Star to Enrage an Entire U.K. Town
After repeatedly making headlines for clinging to the faint hope that the Frasier reboot will somehow be un-canceled, Kelsey Grammer is in the news again — not because his TV show has been picked up by another network, but because he’s somehow managed to piss off an entire town in the U.K.
According to The Independent, Grammer recently purchased a “historic 200-year-old Somerset cottage” in order to be closer to his wife’s family. But apparently, the charming Portishead home wasn’t quite good enough for the Down Periscope star. He reportedly applied for approval to build an extension onto the house, but his request was denied. Per The Daily Mail, the North Somerset Council told Grammer that the extension, which would have nearly doubled the structure’s floorspace, was “too big” and “would harm the character and appearance of the property.” They also cited safety concerns involving a proposed roadway and pointed out that the building is “a heritage asset.”
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But Grammer found a workaround: knock the whole thing to the ground.
Apparently demolishing the cottage entirely requires “no prior approval,” so Grammer plans to tear down the quaint cottage, and build a sprawling new luxury house complete with a games room and a gym.
Grammer, who once proudly proclaimed “I love the people of Portishead” has now seemingly enraged a whole lot of people in Portishead. Comments on the public notice were full of angry objections, blasting the “arrogance” of the actor’s plan. “It would be a very sad day to see a lovely old cottage with such rich local historical significance be destroyed,” one person wrote. “The cottage should be cherished, not swept aside,” another urged.
Of course, Grammer isn’t the only former sitcom star who has made enemies of English locals because of home renovations. Ellen DeGeneres recently relocated to the U.K., after buying a farmhouse for $18 million. But she and her wife Portia de Rossi were met with resistance from the town over proposed renovations “due to an increased flood risk” and because it would have “possibly disturbed historic Roman ruins.” While Ellen may end up selling the property as a result, at least she didn’t try to blow it up completely
Grammer’s move is especially annoying because it seems so un-Frasier-like. Sure, Frasier would no doubt enjoy the luxury comforts of the modern home Grammer plans to build, but he was also a lover of antiques and a champion of history. He once attended a sit-in protest in support of a historic bookshop, before quickly bailing on it as soon as the cops showed up. Then again, feuding with neighbors is very on brand for Dr. Crane.
Obviously, Kelsey Grammer is just an actor, not Frasier Crane. But with this latest incident, he’s definitely veering more into Sideshow Bob territory.
