Fat Fighters star the ‘Slim Reaper’ is bidding to sell her North Devon hotel

A Celebrity Fat Fighters star is selling her extreme dieting retreat, The Merlin Court Hotel in Ilfracombe.

Galia Grainger, dubbed the ‘Slim Reaper’ for her tough love approach to helping people lose weight, has instructed agents John D Wood & Co to sell the Torrs Park hotel with a guide price of £895,000.

The hotel has served as the home of Slimmeria, Galia’s detox and weight-loss retreat business which sees clients put on minimal diets and ‘treats’ restricted to a slice of apple or a single raison.

Above: The Merlin Court Hotel at Torrs Park in Ilfracombe is still on the market for £895,000. Credit: John D Wood & Co

Galia has hosted everyone from Gemma Collins, Tamsin Outhwaite, Jennifer Ellison to Lisa Riley and Gail Porter. A television personality, Galia has also appeared on Lorraine and the BBC.

In 2017, she took the helm on Celebrity Fat Fighters and helped a string of celebrities improve their health and fitness, though not all completed the programme.

Merlin Court also featured in second Channel 4 series with Galia, Extreme Diet Hotel.

READ NEXT: Quirky hotel and 18-acre estate near Barnstaple back on the market a year after being sold

Above and below: Inside the Merlin Court, which has amazing views of Ilfracombe and the coast. Credit: John D Wood & Co

The Grade II listed Gothic-style building dates back to the 19th century and spans five floors plus a tower, offering 11 bedrooms (nine en suite), plus six balconies with sea views, an impressive gym and generous reception rooms - recently refurbished and with period character.

The hotel also has an extensive gym and ‘wellness facilities’ together with grounds covering two-and-a-half acres and a tiered garden.

Merlin Court has been on the market for just over a year with different agents, with the current agent John D Wood & Co describing it as ‘an extraordinary prospect - whether as a luxury home, boutique hotel, or new wellness venture’.

Above: The dining room where guests bidding to lose weight were served a minimal diet of fruit, vegetables and nuts. Credit: John D Wood & Co

Galia told the North Devon Gazette: “I bought the property around 10 years ago and it’s been a wonderful base ever since, but it now feels like the right time to downsize and relocate closer to family and friends.

“The area is incredibly scenic – with stunning coastal walks, beautiful countryside, excellent restaurants, and a real sense of tranquillity – so it’s easy to see why people fall in love with it.

“The property is also just a two-minute walk from the historic Victorian Tunnel Beaches, as well as other beautiful sandy beaches nearby, which makes it an ideal spot for anyone who loves the coast.

“The property itself has huge potential for a buyer looking to run an Airbnb, holiday let or retreat. It was previously partly residential, so there’s the option to revert to that kind of use.

“Homes of this scale and character don’t come up often, especially at this price level.”

Above: One of the 11 bedrooms at Merlin Court. Credit: John D Wood & Co

The ‘Slim Reaper’ moved to the UK from Uzbekistan some 36 years ago, going on to work in advertising and broadcasting, which saw her gain weight.

She told This is Money last year: “I would wear big baggy t-shirts to hide my body. I was ashamed. I learned first-hand how challenging weight loss can be, and wanted to help others on the same journey.

“I followed a strict regime based on my grandmother's methods, which were considered quite harsh by British standards. However, the results spoke for themselves.”

This led to the creation of Slimmeria, but the regime was fairly brutal. In a typical day, guests could expect a slice of fruit for breakfast with a cup of detox tea before heading out for a six mile walk followed by fitness classes, yoga and an evening activity.

Lunch and dinner would be mainly small portions of vegetables and nuts - with all caffeine, dairy, alcohol and other toxins banned from the premises.

Some clients reported losing a stone during their week at the retreat.

The Merlin Court listing can be viewed on the John D Wood & Co website at https://www.johndwood.co.uk/properties/20997937/sales/CHS250048