Jacko's house - in Appledore!

THE family of music megastar Michael Jackson is moving to a new home in Appledore, the North Devon Gazette can exclusively reveal. From next month, an unassuming five-bedroomed house in Staddon Road on the outskirts of the seaside village will become the

THE family of music megastar Michael Jackson is moving to a new home in Appledore, the North Devon Gazette can exclusively reveal.From next month, an unassuming five-bedroomed house in Staddon Road on the outskirts of the seaside village will become the UK retreat for the Jackson Five legends.It is understood that the owners of the holiday home have agreed an initial one-month letting arrangement with members of the superstar family while they continue to search the region for the ideal spot on which to build a multi-million-pound pad.The house has been let on behalf of two Bristol-based couples by specialist holiday cottages agency, Barnstaple-based North Devon Holiday Homes. Managing director Matthew Ryan spoke of a "boyish excitement" when he was given the task of relaying the jaw-dropping news of the new tenants to his astonished clients."I was pretty shocked when we were first approached but was convinced it was a bona fide request as I knew the Jacksons were looking to find a home in North Devon," he said."We're very proud that a family of that stature, and with such high and exacting requirements, has approached us to represent them."Over the years, we have accommodated a broad spectrum of fairly well-known clients, but obviously this is on a different scale entirely."Mr Ryan - who discussed preparations such as additional window screening with the Jacksons on Monday - said that he had an "interesting" conversation with the owners, who had already booked the accommodation for their own use. "I told them that there was a high profile client looking to let their property and they were good enough to cancel their own holiday before they even knew who it was," he said.Besides the Appledore deal, the North Devon Gazette has learned that the family is in the process of negotiating terms on a secluded piece of land in the Croyde area on which to build a spectacular "glass-style" mansion for permanent use by family members while in the UK.The stunning revelations come just weeks after news of Tito Jackson's North Devon home hunt was revealed in the Gazette - a story that quickly went on to make headlines worldwide.Pop king Michael's older brother Tito spent a week in the region looking at various properties with family friend and martial arts empire owner Matt Fiddes.Mr Fiddes spent the weekend in London with Jermaine Jackson and other family members to put the final preparations in place for the Devon move."Matt is one of my family's closest friends," said Jermaine in a statement to the Gazette."We are looking forward to spending time with my brothers and Matt in Barnstaple. "It's a beautiful place and we can't wait for Tito to set us up a family home there," he added.Mr Fiddes said that since Tito's visit last month, the phone line between North Devon and California had been red hot. It is understood that he has signed a contract with the Jacksons to get all brothers - including Michael - back in shape and fighting fit for a Jackson 5 reunion tour."They couldn't buy a house quick enough and are renting the place in Appledore until they can build their own home, exactly how they want it," he said.The large barn conversion has lots of rooms, big gardens, a balcony and first-class views of the Torridge and Taw estuaries. It should suit the iconic family down to the ground - from the state-of-the-art surround-sound ceiling speaker system, to the American flag cushions on the living room sofa!"The home is set back from the road with its own gate but although it's stunning, it's a fairly normal house really," added Mr Fiddes."It's not as private as they are used to, but they have bodyguards - and it's the best they could do at such short notice."Tito and his sons are putting the finishing touches to a brand new album and are desperate to get here as they know it's more peaceful than California.""They know that in North Devon, they can put some serious work into the new material and get it released as soon as possible."Tito, girlfriend - actress and model Claudia Lynx - and sons Taj, Taryll and TJ of pop band 3T, are expected to arrive in North Devon on May 5.It is almost certain that the move will see the world's media focus its attention on Appledore during the next weeks and months, with the prospect of untold superstar visits in the offing.It is understood that brother Jermaine, sister Janet, and even mum and dad Joseph and Katherine, have already signalled their intention to come and visit."We will have to wait and see whether or not Michael turns up," said Mr Fiddes."Michael likes surprising people, so he'll probably keep us all guessing up until the last minute!"He turns 50-years-old this summer, and with a lot of his family in the region, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of him celebrating his birthday in North Devon.