Vic Reeves' quiet life in a cosy converted Kent schoolhouse with Nancy Sorrell

Vic Reeves and Nancy Sorrell live near Ashford
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images/Kirstin Sinclair)


Kent and beloved comics seem to go hand-in-hand, with countless renowned funny people having called the Garden of England at one stage or another. Jo Brand, Harry Hill, Bob Mortimer and Tamsin Greig are just some of the famous comics to have lived in our humble county over the years.

Perhaps one of the better known comical Kent residents is Vic Reeves, who lives here with his celebrity wife Nancy Sorrell. Vic, real name James Roderick Moir, is of course best known for his comedic work such as his double act with Bob Mortimer, aptly called Reeves & Mortimer.

Beyond this, the 65-year-old’s extensive credits also include appearances in Shooting Stars, QI and Brainiac: Science Abuse, while he has also seen success as an artist and musician. His glamorous other half meanwhile is a model, actress and television presenter born in Chigwell, Essex.

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Married since 2003, the star couple now call the cosy, rural village of Charing near Ashford their home. Full of countryside village charm, it's host to some incredible historic landmarks such as the Archbishop's Palace building, once a possession of the Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as the parish church of St Peter and St Paul, The Market Place, Pierce House and Elizabethan Court.

The pair live in a converted Georgian schoolhouse, which they transformed into a green villa. Speaking about the house to The Independent, Nancy said: "It’s such a great location, and we got away from a place which is getting very built up - there are property developments everywhere.

Nancy Sorrell and Vic Reeves are Charing locals
Nancy Sorrell and Vic Reeves are Charing locals -Credit:Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

“We know our neighbours but they’re not that near. We've got the scenery, everything is amazing." Vic and Nancy are parents to twin daughters Nell and Elizabeth, aged 18, while Sorrell is also stepmother to Reeves' children Alice, 31, and Louis, 27.

Vic reckons the secrets of a happy marriage are laughter, friendship and never arguing. "You have to make sure you marry your best friend," he said. "Nancy and I have never had a cross word, we both enjoy the same things and we both make each other laugh. It’s great being with your best friend all the time. It makes me not want to leave the house.”

The beloved comic has also seen success as an artist
The beloved comic has also seen success as an artist -Credit:Getty Images/Ricky Vigil

The pair are regularly snapped out and about together in Kent, with Nancy often sharing their adventures around the county on her Instagram page. In the past, she has posted their trips to the Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, found north of Faversham, a gorgeous area owned by the Kent Wildlife Trust, as well as to the Zetland Arms pub in Deal, Canterbury city centre and the Stodmarsh Nature Reserve.

Recently, Vic posted two clips of himself in Folkestone town centre to his Instagram page, sharing some ‘interesting facts’ about features in the town. First, he described the function of the handles found on the sides of the old-school lamp posts, before giving a fascinating history lesson about bollards.

The comic has a number of other colourful connections to the county that many may be unaware of. For example, he opened a giraffe house at Port Lympne Safari Park back in 2005 using the money he raised through his appearances on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here and Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.

In 2018, the comedian revealed his family connection to Folkestone’s Leas Pavilion while calling for it to be restored to its former glory. The Grade II listed building, constructed in 1902, was the last place in Britain where many soldiers took their final cup of tea before being shipped off to France during the First World War.

Speaking to BBC’s Inside Out, Reeves said his grandfather, who was just 16 at the time, had been among those who visited the Pavilion before sailing towards an uncertain future.

Bob Mortimer (left) and his long-time comedy partner Vic Reeves (right) are both Kent locals
Comedy partners Bob Mortimer (left) and Vic Reeves (right) both call Kent home -Credit:Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

“Fortunately he came home but a lot of them didn’t and this would have been their last cup of tea in Britain,” he said. “I’d like to see it used as it was originally used. I’d go there for a tea dance.”

Vic's lifelong comedy partner, Bob Mortimer, also lives in Kent specifically in Tunbridge Wells. Though this hasn’t been his only Kent residence as the Middlesbrough-born comic formerly lived at the stunning Grade I listed Pett Place near Charing.

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