Oxford News
Ellen DeGeneres wins battle as verdict made on Cotswolds
Ellen and her partner Portia De Rossi have been given the green light for the stables for their horses – despite fears the work could ‘destroy’ Roman remains.
The couple had been locked in a battle over the development at Kitesbridge Farm near Burford that they bought for £15M in 2024 and they had ambitions to make it their ‘long term home’ if their bid was successful.
The couple had already spent a reported £7.5M extra on external and internal renovations before they moved out less than a month later to find someone more suitable to indulge in Portia’s passion for horses.
It was listed for sale last July but failed to attract a buyer and has been plagued by flooding from the River Windrush, that ran through the 43 acre site.
A sale was said to be ‘close’ after £4.5M was slashed off the £22M asking price and the house was taken off the market as a condition of sale.
But despite the ongoing issues, Ellen and Portia now look set to stay after West Oxfordshire District Council granting them planning permission subject to a number of conditions.
These included a stipulation that stables must only be used for by the occupiers of the main dwelling and not for a livery, riding school or any other commercial purposes.
There had also been concern raised that the site was in an area of archaeological interest and potential Roman remains.
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Documents showed it was close to a Roman bridge, a Roman road and Roman villa and associated bathhouse.
The application was granted on the basis that no development can start without an appointed archaeologist being present and further investigation is carried out.
In a design and access statement to support their application to West Oxfordshire District Council, their representatives revealed the couple’s long term ambitions for the home.
They said: “The applicants carried out a successful renovation of the house last year and wish to make this their long term home.
“One of their passions is horses and although the building group is large, there is no provision for horses or for their training and bringing up.”
And in approving the application, planning official Sarah Weaver wrote: “Due to the location of the proposed stables, within the cluster of the existing buildings, the traditional design of the stables and the removal the existing modern agricultural building it is not considered that the the proposed will have a materially harmful impact on the Cotswold National Landscape.
“The design of the proposal scheme is of a traditional stable building which reflects the design of the existing buildings within the site. Traditional features such as an arch entrance, fenestration detailing and window placement form part of the external design.”
Caroline, whose surname has not been released, was last seen on Shilton Road in Burford, West Oxfordshire, at about 2am on Wednesday, August 5.
More than 60 hours later, police are still searching for the 66-year-old woman and are trying to establish where she was last seen, and helicopters from the National Police Air Service have been assisting in searching the area.
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Thames Valley Police released a new image on Friday, August 8, a CCTV footage still believed to show Caroline on Oxford Road, opposite Burford Road, at about 5.27am on the morning of her disappearance.
A statement released along with the image said: “We understand the quality of the image is poor, but we are sharing it because we are doing everything we can to establish Caroline’s movements and locate her safely.
“We hope that someone may recognise her, remember seeing her, or have information that could help our enquiries.
“We continue to ask residents in Burford and the surrounding areas, as well as any motorists who travelled through this area at around 5.30am, to check any CCTV, doorbell, dashcam or other footage they may have.
“Even the smallest detail could prove vital to our enquiries.
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“We would like to thank everyone who has shared our appeals and contacted us with information so far.
“The support from the local community has been invaluable, and we continue to appeal for anyone who may have seen Caroline, or who recalls anything unusual during those early morning hours, to come forward.”
Anyone with information should contact police quoting reference number 43260403808, and anyone who sees the missing woman is asked to call 999.
Lizzie Waterworth has voiced the title character in the children’s TV series for 13 years, appearing across all 250 episodes broadcast between 2006 and 2019.
The BAFTA-nominated voice actor was shortlisted for Best Performer at the British Academy Children’s Awards in 2019 for her work as Henry.
She also played Nitty Nora, the school nurse, in the 2011 live-action film Horrid Henry: The Movie.
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Away from the mischievous animated schoolboy, Ms Waterworth’s credits include Alphablocks, Bob the Builder, The Backyardigans, Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps, Franklin, Clifford’s Puppy Days and the stop-motion film Strike.
Now, the Oxford Mail can exclusively announce that Ms Waterworth is coming to the county’s very own comic-con on Sunday, September 7.
Abbey-Con is held by Rob Turner and Trooper Events annually at the White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre in Abingdon.
A statement from the convention’s organisers said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Lizzie Waterworth is joining us at Abbey-Con!
“You may know Lizzie as the voice of Horrid Henry (a role that earned her a BAFTA nomination!), but that’s just the beginning!
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“She’s also brought to life beloved characters in Alphablocks, Bob the Builder, Isadora Moon, and even Cutie the Elephant in the award-winning video game It Takes Two.
“With an incredible career spanning animation, television and gaming, Lizzie has been entertaining families for years.
“But her work doesn’t stop behind the microphone! She’s passionate about helping young people build confidence through public speaking and works with schools, businesses and Milton Keynes University Hospital to support children during hospital visits.
“Whether you’re a lifelong Horrid Henry fan, grew up watching her characters, or just love meeting the talented people behind your favourite shows and games, this is your chance to meet Lizzie in person!
“At Abbey-Con in The White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre.”
The 62-year-old actor, best known for playing Alfie Moon, is scheduled to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on September 9 on a charge of drink-driving.
Police said the arrest followed reports of a suspected drink-driver in the Church Langley Way area of Harlow shortly before 11.20pm on Wednesday, July 29.
Officers attended the scene and arrested a man, and a charge of drink-driving was later authorised against Shane Roche, 62, of Tadworth, Surrey.
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Now, The Sun’s sources on EastEnders have claimed that some cast members are becoming frustrated by what they see as preferential treatment for certain stars.
Shane Richie has reportedly been given time away from the soap later this year to take on a pantomime role said to be worth six figures.
However, other actors — who are claimed to earn less for their work on the BBC programme — have allegedly had comparable requests turned down.
A Walford insider said: “Nothing will happen [to Shane]. Nothing ever does to the favourites.
“Jessie [Wallace] and Shane are both given time off to effectively double their salaries while others aren’t allowed unless it works for the show.
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“They say it’s down to the story but when it’s the same people allowed time off time and time again then it seems like it’s not about the story and more about keeping a select few happy.”
Mr Richie first came to prominence after working as a Pontins bluecoat and stand‑up comedian before moving into television game shows and sketch comedy.
He joined EastEnders in 2002, with his character Alfie Moon quickly becoming one of the BBC soap’s most popular figures.
His on‑off partnership with Kat Slater is regarded as one of soap’s best‑known double acts and has seen him appear in more than a thousand episodes.
Away from Albert Square, Mr Richie has fronted prime‑time TV shows, appeared in major stage musicals and pursued a parallel career as a recording artist.
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He also has strong links to Oxford’s theatre scene, having performed at the New Theatre in 2006 in a production of Scrooge.
More recently, he appeared in the city in 2025 as part of the Prat Pack, bringing a mix of music and comedy to local audiences.
The show teams him with fellow entertainers Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley and Joe Pasquale, who bill themselves as a tongue‑in‑cheek take on the classic Rat Pack.
Their 2025 tour stopped at the New Theatre Oxford on George Street for a one‑night date on 22 May, mixing big‑band standards, comedy and stories from their decades in showbusiness.
The New Theatre was one of a string of venues on the national run, giving city audiences a chance to see Mr Richie perform live alongside his long‑time friends.
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