Billionaire David Sullivan reveals lavish £7.5million mansion funded by his fortune made in the porn industry
The co-West Ham owner raised his two sons in the huge home he shares with their mother, his long-term girlfriend, Emma
BILLIONAIRE David Sullivan has thrown open the doors to his lavish £7.5million mansion funded by his fortune made in the porn industry.
The co-West Ham owner raised his two sons in the huge home he shares with their mother, his long-term girlfriend Emma, and has spent years perfecting it.
Presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford were given a tour of the property for their Channel 5 show, How the Other Half Lives.
Inside, there are 14 bedrooms, opulent bathrooms and a dining room which can seat 24 people at the table.
The hallway also houses a giant chandelier that David admitted costs a fortune in electricity.
David said of his home: "I didn't base it on a stately home, I just wanted a grand statement but it is tiny compared to Buckingham Palace."
Also inside is an office which Ruth joked was the "size of their house" where David, 67, continues to run his business empire.
Surrounded by acres of land, his home is 25,000 sq ft and is filled with items and artworks he loves.
This includes a collection of horse racing trophies - some of which he won with his own horses and some rarities he has bought.
He also owns a bizarre collection of servants made from silicone, which stand on ceremony in various rooms.
He told Eamonn and Ruth they were works of art worth £50,000 each.
David admitted he had come a long way since he first started out selling football programmes.
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He made his first million thanks to owning pornographic magazines and sex shops, and went on to launch the Daily Sport newspaper.
He sold the publication for £45million in 2007.
David told the presenters he feels no shame about how he made his money - and how his sons are proud of his achievements.
He said: "My sons know everything and think it is funny and marvellous. There is less stigma towards the sex industry in their generation.
"I am not ashamed of it - I only sold to adults and all my material was with adults. It is a dead business now as the sex shops make no money, I only keep them on for the staff."
He added that his billions do make it hard to teach his teenage sons about the value of money.
They get to jet set on holiday around the world, shop at designer stores and watch Premiership football from the beast seats in the house.
David admitted their overindulgence can lead to arguments between him and their mother, Emma.
He said: "They shop at D&G, one bought a £1,700 pair of shoes which is obscene. It is one thing me and their mum argue about as she indulges them.
"Growing up the arguments in my house were about lack of money. I used to dream of being a millionaire and I foolishly used to think if you had money you wouldn't have rows and everything is wonderful.
"It is better but how do you teach children the value of money and with your own lifestyle where do you draw the line?"
Despite his staggering wealth, David said he has no plans to stop working.
He said: "I want to be someone who is somebody, not someone who was somebody. I never want to retire."