Essex has long been a celebrity hotspot as the county is home to many famous faces.
From the grand mansions of Chigwell and the celebrity-packed streets of Brentwood to the leafy surroundings of Epping and Finchingfield, some of Britain's best-known stars have chosen to put down roots in the county.
Here's a look at some of the biggest names with homes in Essex, and the towns and villages they've chosen to live in.
Sir Rod Stewart
Sir Rod Stewart, the British rock and pop legend, is among the celebrities who have made Essex their base.
He and his wife, Penny Lancaster, own a sprawling, Grade II-listed 18th-century mansion named Durrington House, near the village of Sheering and the town of Harlow.
The historic home, dating back to 1712, is set within 46 acres of private land and mature woodland.
The grounds include a swimming pool, private football pitch, a walled garden, croquet lawn, and self-contained cottages.
Sir Rod previously lived for 30 years nearby at The Wood House near Epping Forest, which he sold in 2019.
Essex offers the best of both worlds for Sir Rod Stewart, with its countryside settings, privacy, and easy access to London.
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Lord Alan Sugar
Famous entrepreneur Lord Alan Sugar, best known for his hit BBC competition show The Apprentice, has a long-standing association with Chigwell.
He has owned a 10-acre estate in the town for decades and also bought the historic building that houses celebrity hotspot restaurant Sheesh.
According to reports, he bought his five-bedroom, tree-surrounded home in Chigwell in 1981 for £800,000, though ownership of the property, now valued at around £8.5million, was transferred to his daughter in 2021.
Chigwell is popular with celebrities for its historic charm and proximity to the capital.
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
Mark Wright, who rose to fame on ITV's The Only Way is Essex, and Michelle Keegan, best known for her roles in Our Girl and Coronation Street, live in a custom-built, £3.5 million Georgian-style mega-mansion near Epping.
The famous couple purchased the original property in 2019 , demolished it, and rebuilt a luxury custom home over several years.
Their home features a large outdoor swimming pool, private football pitch, home gym, and custom cinema room.
Originally purchased for around £660,000, the home is now reportedly worth £3.5million.
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash
TV personality couple Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash live at Pickle Cottage, a Tudor-style country home in the Brentwood countryside.
The couple bought the property in March 2021 for £1.3million.
They have since extensively renovated the home, regularly sharing updates on social media and television.
It sits on around 2.5 acres of land and includes features such as a swimming pool, gardens, and various family-focused additions.
Their estate is named after their son Rex, whom they affectionately nickname "Pickle".
Fans have been given a glimpse of life inside Pickle Cottage with their BBC One show Stacey & Jo.
Jamie Oliver
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver lives at Spains Hall, a historic 16th-century Elizabethan country house located near the village of Finchingfield.
The Grade I listed mansion is set within a sprawling 70-acre private parkland estate and features an additional six-bedroom farmhouse, a lodge, and converted stables.
The house was purchased by the chef in 2019, with the family moving in later the same year after he spent £6million on the grand farmhouse.
Before his move, Spains Hall had not been sold for 250 years and had only been owned by three families since 1066.
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