BBC comedy star Daisy May Cooper is at the center of a £30,000 legal dispute with her landlord after reportedly painting a room in her rented historic Cotswolds property an “awful” bright blue without permission. The actor, known for her role in the BBC series This Country, is now facing a legal battle with the landlady of the Grade II-listed mansion after she allegedly refused to repaint the room to match its original heritage color.
Cooper, 38, has been accused by property owner Rebecca Ferry, 46, of failing to respect the listed property's historic features. According to reports, Ferry was left devastated by the “dentist-chair blue” walls in the seven-bedroom mansion, located in Gloucestershire, which were adorned with dinosaur stickers. The value of the property, which is rented for £17,000 per month, could be at risk due to its heritage status.
Ferry, a mother of five, has been left with no choice but to launch legal proceedings. The incident began when Cooper allegedly failed to restore the room back to its original state after painting it in a bright shade without consulting her landlady. Ferry expressed her concern about the potential impact on the building's protected status and the loss of the original aesthetic.
“We’ve had it for 20 years, and it’s more than just a rental — it’s a home,” said Ferry. “I had to leave and I went outside and I cried when I saw it. I was lost for words initially.” She continued to describe the transformation as “awful,” particularly due to the vibrant paint and the addition of dinosaur stickers, which she found particularly distressing for the newly renovated space.
Further tension in the dispute arose when Cooper allegedly violated her rental contract by sneaking in cats, which was prohibited due to Ferry’s daughter’s severe allergy. While Cooper reportedly refused to remove the animals, she did suggest that she would cover the cost of professional cleaning when she vacates the property.
In addition to the paint controversy, neighbors filed a noise complaint after Cooper allegedly took quad bikes from the garage without prior permission. Cooper is said to have apologized, claiming she believed she had received approval from the letting agent. This, however, has contributed to the growing strain in the relationship between tenant and landlord.
Ms. Ferry has expressed concern that Cooper’s modifications, including the paint job, could violate historic building regulations. The property, a Grade II-listed building, required special care and attention during its renovation. Ferry selected Farrow & Ball paint in keeping with the building’s listed status, which mandates specific materials and renovations to maintain the historic value of the structure.
According to Historic England’s guidance, using modern paints on listed properties often requires listed building consent, as it can cause physical damage and affect the property’s special interest. Given that the property is a vital part of the area’s heritage, Ferry fears that the alterations could be irreversible and diminish its value.
As the legal dispute continues, Ferry’s legal team has called for Cooper to pay for the expertise of a heritage expert to assess any damage to the historic property. Lawyers are in discussions over potential compensation, which may be included in the £30,000 legal challenge facing Cooper.
Despite the ongoing legal issues, Daisy May Cooper’s career continues to thrive. She recently won a BAFTA for her role in the mockumentary This Country and is currently starring in the second season of Am I Being Unreasonable? on BBC One. However, her professional success contrasts with the growing tensions surrounding her rental property.
The legal proceedings between Daisy May Cooper and her landlord highlight the importance of respecting heritage properties and the potential financial consequences of disregarding building regulations.
The £30,000 legal challenge over the bright blue paint job is far from settled, and with ongoing negotiations, it remains to be seen whether Cooper will face further consequences for her actions. As the dispute unfolds, it is clear that this issue could impact both her professional and personal reputation in the public eye.
