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Unassuming 5-bed house hides incredible 800-year-old secret 60ft beneath its floorboards – and could be yours for £1m

Collage of a white house and interior photos of its living and dining rooms.

AN UNASSUMING house hides an incredible 800-year-old secret 60ft beneath its floorboards – and it could be yours for £1m.

Beckets is a Grade II-listed house based in the village of Eastry in Kent.

BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: Fine&Country/BNPS A Grade II Listed home with the only entrance to a labyrinth of underground tunnels and caves has gone the market for £1m. Beckets is a historic property in the village of Eastry, Kent, but it is the network of tunnels that descend 50ft to 60ft below ground that make it truly unique. Local legend says Thomas Becket hid in the caves, which extend a long way under roads, fields and houses in the village, while fleeing the wrath of King Henry II in the 12th century.
Beckets is a historic property in the village of Eastry, Kent with an incredible secret
Bournemouth News
BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: Fine&Country/BNPS A Grade II Listed home with the only entrance to a labyrinth of underground tunnels and caves has gone the market for £1m. Beckets is a historic property in the village of Eastry, Kent, but it is the network of tunnels that descend 50ft to 60ft below ground that make it truly unique. Local legend says Thomas Becket hid in the caves, which extend a long way under roads, fields and houses in the village, while fleeing the wrath of King Henry II in the 12th century.
It has tunnels which descend 50ft to 60ft below ground
Bournemouth News
BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: Fine&Country/BNPS A Grade II Listed home with the only entrance to a labyrinth of underground tunnels and caves has gone the market for ¿1m. Beckets is a historic property in the village of Eastry, Kent, but it is the network of tunnels that descend 50ft to 60ft below ground that make it truly unique. Local legend says Thomas Becket hid in the caves, which extend a long way under roads, fields and houses in the village, while fleeing the wrath of King Henry II in the 12th century.
And the burrows are still accessible to this day
Bournemouth News

Beckets contains five bedrooms, two bathrooms, three sitting rooms, parking, and it’s up for sale for £1,000,000.

If walls could speak, they would tell how Thomas Becket fled the wrath of King Henry II using this property’s unique feature.

Historic underground tunnels which descend 50 to 60 feet underground set this house apart from the rest.

During The Archbishop of Canterbury’s rift with the King over rights and privileges of the church, it is believed he hid in these burrows.

He was waiting for a fishing boat to take him from Sandwich to France in 1164.

But he was killed by a group of the King’s knights in Canterbury Cathedral.

Following his death, he was canonised by Pope Alexander III.

Beckets house has even been awarded the red-diamond Historic Buildings of Kent plaque, which can be seen on the outer wall.

To this day, the house features a medieval roof structure, wall framework and wattle and daub sections.

More sections were added in the 18th Century and the 1970s.

Other medieval features include exposed beams, original floorboards, doors and sash windows, along with characterful fireplaces.

It has 2,531 square feet of accommodation with a kitchen and breakfast room, dining room, sitting room, five bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Of course, there is still access to the caves outside.

Plus, parking for four cars, a single garage, an old stable, and the gardens which include a wildlife pond and treehouse.

BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: Fine&Country/BNPS A Grade II Listed home with the only entrance to a labyrinth of underground tunnels and caves has gone the market for £1m. Beckets is a historic property in the village of Eastry, Kent, but it is the network of tunnels that descend 50ft to 60ft below ground that make it truly unique. Local legend says Thomas Becket hid in the caves, which extend a long way under roads, fields and houses in the village, while fleeing the wrath of King Henry II in the 12th century.
Thomas Becket hid in the caves while fleeing the wrath of King Henry II in the 12th century
Bournemouth News
BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: Fine&Country/BNPS A Grade II Listed home with the only entrance to a labyrinth of underground tunnels and caves has gone the market for £1m. Beckets is a historic property in the village of Eastry, Kent, but it is the network of tunnels that descend 50ft to 60ft below ground that make it truly unique. Local legend says Thomas Becket hid in the caves, which extend a long way under roads, fields and houses in the village, while fleeing the wrath of King Henry II in the 12th century.
The house contains parking for four cars
Bournemouth News
BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: Fine&Country/BNPS A Grade II Listed home with the only entrance to a labyrinth of underground tunnels and caves has gone the market for £1m. Beckets is a historic property in the village of Eastry, Kent, but it is the network of tunnels that descend 50ft to 60ft below ground that make it truly unique. Local legend says Thomas Becket hid in the caves, which extend a long way under roads, fields and houses in the village, while fleeing the wrath of King Henry II in the 12th century.
A gorgeous retro interior with original floorboards – this room is perfect for parties
Bournemouth News

The owners said: “We fell in love with Beckets as soon as we saw it and fought hard to buy this extraordinary home.

“We were blown away by the history of a house that has evolved over many centuries.

“We are still making discoveries above and below ground, after more than 20 years here.

“When making improvements we have carefully preserved the numerous historical features that contribute to making this a wonderful family home.

“After much deliberation, we reluctantly felt that now is the right time in our lives to entrust Beckets to new enthusiastic owners to enjoy this remarkable place.’

A spokesman for estate agents Fine & Country added: “While there may be a considerable number of ‘unique’ properties in this country, there are unlikely to be many that include the only entrance to a labyrinth of subterranean tunnels and caves that descend to some 50 to 60 feet below ground in some places and extend a long way under roads, fields and houses in Eastry village.

“If you add the legend that Thomas Becket hid in the caves while fleeing the wrath of Henry II before returning to Canterbury where he was murdered, you do have a property that is truly unique and steeped in history.”

BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: Fine&Country/BNPS A Grade II Listed home with the only entrance to a labyrinth of underground tunnels and caves has gone the market for £1m. Beckets is a historic property in the village of Eastry, Kent, but it is the network of tunnels that descend 50ft to 60ft below ground that make it truly unique. Local legend says Thomas Becket hid in the caves, which extend a long way under roads, fields and houses in the village, while fleeing the wrath of King Henry II in the 12th century.
One of Beckets’ three sitting rooms – this cosy room features exposed beams and an oak staircase
Bournemouth News
BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: Fine&Country/BNPS A Grade II Listed home with the only entrance to a labyrinth of underground tunnels and caves has gone the market for £1m. Beckets is a historic property in the village of Eastry, Kent, but it is the network of tunnels that descend 50ft to 60ft below ground that make it truly unique. Local legend says Thomas Becket hid in the caves, which extend a long way under roads, fields and houses in the village, while fleeing the wrath of King Henry II in the 12th century.
One of the five bedrooms fits a single bed
Bournemouth News
BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: Fine&Country/BNPS A Grade II Listed home with the only entrance to a labyrinth of underground tunnels and caves has gone the market for £1m. Beckets is a historic property in the village of Eastry, Kent, but it is the network of tunnels that descend 50ft to 60ft below ground that make it truly unique. Local legend says Thomas Becket hid in the caves, which extend a long way under roads, fields and houses in the village, while fleeing the wrath of King Henry II in the 12th century.
Walk through the traditional kitchen and you’ll reach a utility space
Bournemouth News
BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: Fine&Country/BNPS A Grade II Listed home with the only entrance to a labyrinth of underground tunnels and caves has gone the market for £1m. Beckets is a historic property in the village of Eastry, Kent, but it is the network of tunnels that descend 50ft to 60ft below ground that make it truly unique. Local legend says Thomas Becket hid in the caves, which extend a long way under roads, fields and houses in the village, while fleeing the wrath of King Henry II in the 12th century.
Exposed beams are one of the properties medieval features
Bournemouth News
BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: Fine&Country/BNPS A Grade II Listed home with the only entrance to a labyrinth of underground tunnels and caves has gone the market for £1m. Beckets is a historic property in the village of Eastry, Kent, but it is the network of tunnels that descend 50ft to 60ft below ground that make it truly unique. Local legend says Thomas Becket hid in the caves, which extend a long way under roads, fields and houses in the village, while fleeing the wrath of King Henry II in the 12th century.
One of the two bathrooms which features a bath, toilet and sink
Bournemouth News

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England rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio DIVORCES wife of almost 20 years after pair ‘weathered a number of storms’

RUGBY great Lawrence Dallaglio is divorcing from his wife after almost two decades, The Sun can reveal.

The retired England captain and TV pundit, 52, attended the Central Family Court in Holborn, London, yesterday as he tried to thrash out a deal with former model Alice, 52.

Lawrence Dallaglio and his wife at a Rugby World Cup event.
Getty
Lawrence Dallaglio is divorcing from his wife after almost two decades,[/caption]
Lawrence Dallaglio of the London Wasps kisses his wife after a rugby match victory.
Getty
They married in 2005 after dating for almost ten years and share daughters Ella and Josie, and son Enzo[/caption]
Lawrence Dallaglio of England running with the rugby ball during a match.
Getty
Lawrence Dallaglio of England during the Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship 2001 match against Italy[/caption]

They married in 2005 after dating for almost ten years and share daughters Ella and Josie, and son Enzo.

A source said: “They have been together a very long time and weathered a number of storms.

“It is sad as they must have decided it is best now to go their separate ways.”

Both have been accused of cheating throughout their time together.

Lawrence has also been embroiled in a cocaine scandal, and had to wind up his business after being told he owed £700,000 in unpaid tax.

The couple previously split in 2003 when it was revealed Alice cheated with Lawrence’s property developer friend Leon Butler, before reconciling and marrying two years later.

In 2020, a court heard he had spent £10,000 at a brothel which offered high-class hookers and cocaine.

It was alleged he used his own bank cards to make payments inside the premises.

His alleged visit to the Georgian townhouse emerged during a trial of a gang accused of supplying £300-an-hour prostitutes and Class A drugs.

Dallaglio was interviewed under caution by police in the presence of a solicitor.

But he was not arrested and declined to make any comment over the purpose of his expenditure.

The brother in central London was raided and shut down by police in July 2019.

A bag of bank card receipts was found hidden behind panelling in a basement toilet, and Dallaglio’s name emerged as detectives looked through 180,000 transactions.

Meanwhile, in 2023 Dallaglio wound up his business after being told he owed £700,000 in unpaid tax.

He agreed to pay off his debts and avoided being made to declare himself bankrupt.

HMRC applied for the winding up order for unpaid tax by Lawrence Dallaglio Limited, which was based at his £3million family home in Richmond, South West London.

Alice Dallaglio, formerly Corbett, is a former model and art student.

She is the daughter of Lydia Corbett, formerly known as Sylvette David, a famous model of Pablo Picasso.

Lawrence is among the greats of rugby union players. In 2008 he was awarded an OBE, having already been an MBE.

Headshot of Lawrence Dallaglio, former England rugby international and television pundit.
Getty
Lawrence had to wind up his business after being told he owed £700,000 in unpaid tax[/caption]
Lawrence Dallaglio and Alice Corbett watching a tennis match.
AFP
The pair share three children together[/caption]
Lawrence Dallaglio, Wasps rugby captain, posing with three Premiership Rugby trophies.
Getty
Lawrence was awarded an OBE in 2008, having already been an MBE[/caption]

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Harry Potter star Jessie Cave reveals secret split from Alfie Brown as she admits fears they’ll break up again

HARRY Potter star Jessie Cave reveals she secretly split from her nepo-baby partner Alfie Brown as she admits fears they could break up again.

The pair have launched their brand new podcast Before We Break Up Again (BWBUA) where the couple speak about the highs and Lows of parenthood and the challenges that have tested their relationship.

Jessie Cave and Alfie Brown on a podcast.
YouTube
Harry Potter star Jessie Cave reveals secret split from Alfie Brown[/caption]
Jessie Cave and Alfie Brown posing together.
Instagram
Jessie Cave admitted she fears that they will break up again[/caption]

In the first episode of the pod which dropped this week, the hosts jokingly declared that it will run “from now until we break up again.”

During the episode, Jessie opened up about her concerns, admitting: “I also am worried about doing a podcast with you and you’ve been very good about vocalising this because we’re worried that it will break us up genuinely.”

Speaking about the stress that the podcast could cause the Harry Potter star confessed: “(The podcast) It’s going to be me talking about traumas, talking about how you have somehow caused my traumas, how you are somehow to blame for my traumas.”

The mum-of-four went on to talk about the challenges of motherhood and how pregnancy has really helped her over the years.

She said: “I really thought that I would be able to do more work and do it all, I thought I would be able to do that and I now know is just a lie you cannot do it all.

“I’m really happy when I’m pregnant and I really haven’t been happy in so long.

“My career is slightly f***ked at the moment but at least I’ve got those moments (motherhood) and I’m happy for that to be the sacrifice.”

In 2012, Alfie and Jessie first crossed paths at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where they were both performing stand-up.

Two years later, the two were set up on a date through a mutual friend.

They went home together but didn’t see each other again – until four months later when Jessie discovered she was pregnant with his child.

They welcomed their son, Donnie, in October 2014, followed by their daughter 2 years later.

But, in 2018 the couple went through a complicated breakup.

Speaking with The Sunday Times, Jessie revealed that she’s not sure if the pair ‘will remain a couple for ever’.

She continued: “We broke up when she (their Daughter) was only a few months old.

“It suddenly all felt so grown-up: I was insecure and thought we needed to develop as adults on our own.

“In truth, I never actually wanted to break up, but the idea snowballed and then it was too late.

“We got back together after a couple of years of angst and personal growth. Both of us now agree that the break-up was worth it.”

In October 2020, they had a second son, and by December 2021, they announced they were expecting their fourth child.

Jessie who is an actress, comedian, author, and cartoonist is mostly known for her role as Lavender Brown in the Harry Potter franchise.

Alfie Brown who is also a successful comedian was born to composer Steve Brown and impressionist Jan Ravens.

He began performing stand-up in 2006 and is known for his work at the Edinburgh Festival and Next Up Comedy series.

Jessie Cave with her family.
Instagram
In 2018 the couple went through a complicated breakup[/caption]
Jan Ravens speaking at a Harry Potter event.
Wikipedia
Alfie Brown who is a successful comedian was born to composer Steve Brown and impressionist Jan Ravens[/caption]
Scene from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince showing Harry, Ginny, Snape, and Slughorn.
Alamy
Jessie is mostly known for her role as Lavender Brown in the Harry Potter franchise[/caption]

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About the author

Katrina Vasey - Bingo Editor, The Sun

After graduating from Southampton University with a degree in English Literature, Katrina Vasey worked as a Content Editor for Law Business Research’s publication the International Law Office. Katrina joined The Sun in 2022 as the Bingo Editor, covering the four gaming platforms: Sun BingoFabulous BingoSun Vegas and Fabulous Vegas

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Popular comedian’s hit show finally returns to TV – seven years after it was axed

COMEDY fans will soon be able to get their fix of comedian Dave Gorman, as he returns to his hit TV show Modern Life is Goodish.

Comedian Dave Gorman last fronted the show seven years ago, but he will now return on Monday 24th February on UKTV.

Portrait of Dave Gorman in front of a colorful background.
Handout
Fans have been left delighted as it was confirmed Dave Gorman would be returning to returns[/caption]
Dave Gorman standing in front of a sign that says "Modern Life Is Goodish".
Supplied
Show bosses have green lit a four hour-long specials that will air on UKTV channel U&Dave[/caption]

Show bosses have green lit a four hour-long specials for Dave Gorman: Modern Life is Goodish, which comes seven years after Gorman was axed.

Last year Gorman opened up about the comeback as he said: “I’m delighted to be getting back in the Goodish saddle.

“It’s been 7 years since I hung up my Modern Life Is Goodish clicker and in that time, life has definitely got 7 years moderner – so there should be plenty to get my teeth into.”

Modern Life is Goodish originally aired between 2013 and 2017 for five series.

It pulled in a loyal fan base and held an average 1.5 million viewers per episode.

Gorman originally stepped back from his comedy show after struggling with an intense workload, which had him clocking 100 hours per week.

UKTV boss Mark Iddon said: “I’m massively thrilled to announce the return of Modern Life Is Goodish to the U&Dave audience.

“Dave Gorman’s unique comedic insights and witty PowerPoint presentations have always resonated with our audience…

“His ability to dissect the quirks of modern life with humour and intelligence is unmatched.

“I can’t wait to dive back into the joyous and thought-provoking observations that make modern life not just good, but goodish.

“In a world where everything’s ‘meh’, we could use a dose of ‘ish’. It’s great to have you back, Dave!”

Dave Gorman: Modern Life is Goodish airs at 9pm on U&Dave on Monday 24th February.

Best BBC comedies

We look back at some of the best to ever grace the screen.

Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) – Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.

Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) – The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters’, in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.

Blackadder (1983 – 1989) – Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadder was voted the second-best British sitcom of all time

Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012) – Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina ‘Eddie’ Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay ‘hip’. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.

Little Britain (2003 – 2006) – The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!

The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) – A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line ‘Am I bovvered?’. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous ‘Nan’, Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.

Gavin and Stacey (2007 – Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.

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Sam Thompson takes a savage swipe at ex Zara as he reveals dating show he’d sign up to after split

SAM Thompson today appeared to take a savage swipe at his ex Zara McDermott as he revealed which dating show he’d like to sign up to following their split.

It was revealed last month how the Made In Chelsea legend, 32, and the former Love Island star, 28, had ended their five-year-long relationship.

Sam Thompson speaking into a microphone.
Getty
Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott split up last month[/caption]
Sam Thompson speaking into a microphone.
YouTube/ITV
Sam talked about which dating show he’d like to sign up to[/caption]
Three people on a podcast.
YouTube/ITV
Sam appeared to take a swipe at Zara on the Love island: The Morning After podcast[/caption]

Sam and Zara have both been keeping busy since their shock break-up.

The I’m A Celebrity champ has been working on multiple TV projects, and this week returned to the Love Island: The Morning After podcast.

However, whilst on today’s episode Sam appeared to take a swipe at his ex Zara when he revealed he was ready to sign up to a dating show.

Speaking on the podcast, he revealed how much he’d love to do Love Island.

“I have never been in the villa, but I would LOVE TOO!” Sam revealed.

Meanwhile, while Sam has got stuck into work Zara recently headed to Paris to get over her heartbreak.

The former Islander looked continental chic as she shared multiple snaps from her time in the French capital.

A source close to Zara told The Sun at the time: “It’s been a tough time for Zara. The trip to Paris just helped her get away from it all.

“Zara just wants to try to focus on work and get herself together.

“They split some time before it officially emerged and she is now living apart from him.”

SHOCK SPLIT

Fans were left in shock when reality TV’s golden couple split at the beginning of the year.

A source close to Zara and Sam said: “Sam and Zara have ended their relationship.

“It’s been an incredibly difficult decision for them to part ways; they still care and have a lot of love for each other.

“But after a tough year of working hard at their romance, they have split and will be focusing on their individual careers going forward into 2025.

“There has been no scandal or fallout between them, it’s just the result of a difficult year, where they both had to spend a lot of time focused on their own projects.”

“Although they have known it’s been over for a while, Sam and Zara are both devastated and heartbroken that they couldn’t make it work as they had so much love for each other,” a source shared to OK! Magazine in the wake of their split.

The Sun revealed how Sam and Zara had been living separately for months leading up to their shock break-up.

Our source added that when the couple “had problems” back in the summer, they “vowed to give it one more try” and hoped that they could “work through their issues”.

Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott reunited.
Instagram
The former couple were known for their loved-up selfies[/caption]

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Gareth Southgate’s next career move revealed as former England boss agrees lucrative deal

GARETH SOUTHGATE has announced his next career move – and it’s not a job in football.

The 54-year-old stepped down from his role as England manager following the Euro 2024 final last July.

Gareth Southgate at the International Investment Summit in London.
EPA
Gareth Southgate is releasing a new book[/caption]

He is yet to accept another full-time job in football but has been taking up some temporary roles.

Southgate is a technical observer for Uefa and recently became a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School.

But now he is set for a completely new challenge – writing a book.

The former England manager’s new book is set to focus on leadership.

It is expected to feature some of the lessons he learned while guiding the Three Lions to successive European Championship finals.

Southgate’s book is titled ‘Dear England’ and is scheduled to be released in October.

The ex-England boss said: “After stepping down as England manager following eight very special years, I’ve been reflecting on what I have lived through and what comes next.

“Coaching top players and playing against some of the best teams in the world pushed me to operate at the highest level in football.

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“Rather than write a memoir of those times I decided to share my experiences in a different way, through the lens of leadership which I hope will provide lessons for anyone who wants to discover their own authentic leadership style.”

Publishing director Ben Brusey went on to add: “Just as Gareth inspired the nation with his England leadership, every page of his book will inspire readers with his characteristic sense of purpose, honesty, resilience and integrity. 

“This will be a landmark leadership book, which I know will be enjoyed by readers for years to come.”

Southgate received a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list at the start of 2025.

He followed in the footsteps of Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alf Ramsey in being knighted for services to sport.

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I was diagnosed with cancer at 19 and then was scammed by con artist Belle Gibson who said she could cure it

Belle Gibson is the latest fraudster to have a TV show made on how she swindled people out of money by pretending healthy eating and green juices cured her brain cancer.

However, it soon became clear that Belle’s natural remedies didn’t work and that she never even had cancer to begin with.

Woman wearing glasses and overalls, discussing being scammed after a cancer diagnosis.
tiktok@spicyjohnston
Bella Johnston was diagnosed with cancer at 19 and conned by Belle Gibson[/caption]
Woman holding a platter of fruit.
Alamy
Now the scam has been turned into a Netflix show, Apple Cider Vinegar[/caption]
Belle Gibson, fined for false cancer claims.
9 NEWS / 60 MINUTES
The influencer claimed to have cured her brain cancer with a healthy diet[/caption]

The dramatised Netflix show titled Apple Cider Vinegar follows Belle as she becomes an overnight success with a wellness app that ‘helped her beat cancer.’

In 2013, the 24-year-old Australian launched the best-selling app and made headline news for her against-the-odds story of surviving cancer with a healthy lifestyle.

Starting as a blogger in 2009, Belle claimed she was diagnosed with “malignant brain cancer” and given “six to eight months” to live.

However, Belle said she had chosen to withdraw from chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, and instead embarked on “a quest to heal myself naturally… through nutrition, patience, determination and love”

She credited her diet with curing her cancer, releasing The Whole Pantry app and cookbook to share her recipes.

With 200,000 followers on Instagram at the time, many of whom were cancer patients, she conned them into thinking she had found a cure.

And one of those was fellow Aussie Bella Johnston.

At the age of 19, Bella was diagnosed with a paraganglioma, a rare endocrine tumour, in 2009 and was surrounded by older people in the hospital leaving her feeling isolated.

So when she found Belle’s social media and saw she was roughly the same age and battling cancer too, she was hooked.

Bella saw that the influencer had claimed to manage the disease with diet, exercise and alternative medicine and as a result, Bella wanted to follow in her footsteps.

But unbeknownst to Bella, the cancer survivor she looked up to was a con artist who had never had the disease.

Now Bella has taken to TikTok (spicyjohnston) to reveal she fell for the scam, writing: “When I was 15 I was misdiagnosed with anorexia, but at 19 they found out it was actually cancer.

“Then I got scammed by a woman who said she could cure it with green juice and now there’s a documentary and TV show about it on Netflix.”

Bella used the hashtags Bellegibson and AppleciderVinegar under the video.

Look at this woman, look at how healthy she is, she’s got brain cancer.

Bella Johnston

Speaking on the ITV documentary, Instagram’s Worst Con Artist, Bella, now 29, said it was easy to compare herself to Belle and feel like she should take a different approach to her treatment.

She said: “I guess there was that ideology that it was the medicine that makes you look sick, and she’s got cancer, but she looks so good because she fuels her body with this amazing food, and I look like s*** because I went down the modern medicine route.”

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“I tried to discuss with my parents about letting go of the conventional medicine side of things and exploring alternative medicine and I used Belle Gibson as an example.

“I was like: ‘Look at this woman, look at how healthy she is, she’s got brain cancer.’

“So, I started to incorporate the alternative medicine side of things into my life as much as I could, [including] green juices, smoothies, organics, superfoods, coconut water, all that kind of stuff.”

She concluded: “I just wanted to be like she was, I put her on such a pedestal, I just thought she was amazing.”

Thankfully, Bella still underwent radiotherapy and surgery to remove the cancer and was given the all-clear five years after her diagnosis in 2014.

Like the rest of Belle’s followers, she was left in utter shock when in 2015, the influencer admitted to lying about having cancer at all.

It began when she wrote on Instagram that her cancer was back and had spread.

Suspicions grew about the likelihood of Belle’s story and whether the various charities she promised to give money to from her book sales actually came to fruition.

Following an investigation by Fairfax Media, it was discovered that none of the charities Belle had named had received a penny from her.

In an interview with Australia Women’s Weekly, she said: ‘No… None of it’s true,’ before adding she hoped people would forgive her.

Two years later, Belle was fined £215,000 ($410,000 AUD) after being found guilty of misleading and deceptive conduct.

The former wellness blogger has now identified with the Oromo ethnic group in Melbourne, even taking to wearing a headscarf and calling herself ‘Sabontu’.

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