Whem he hosted University Challenge , his catchphrase was ‘ Your starter for ten ’ . But the stakes have suddenly become higher for Bamber Gascoigne – after he unexpectedly inherited an historic mansion from an elderly aunt . He was stunned to be left 50-bedroom West Horsley Place in Surrey by the Duchess of Roxburghe , one-time society beauty and a goddaughter of George V ’ s wife Queen Mary . Bamber Gascoigne , seen in a library at West Horsely house , has embarked on a mission to save the crumbling estate , which could be worth £10million once the restoration has been completed . The Duchess – Lady Mary Evelyn Hungerford Crewe-Milnes – was also Mr Gascoigne ’ s godmother and had no children of her own . She died last year aged 99 . The grand country house dates from the 11th century , although most of it was built between the 15th and 18th centuries . It had many visits from royalty , including one by Henry VIII , during which he enjoyed a 35-course lunch . Later , it was occupied by Carew Raleigh , son of Sir Walter Raleigh . Legend has it that he carried Sir Walter ’ s embalmed head in a bag at the house after Sir Walter was beheaded . Mr Gascoigne , 80 , who presented University Challenge for 25 years until 1987 , had no idea he was to inherit the Grade I listed pile , until a solicitor contacted him . Home : The former University Challenge host has inherited West Horsley Place near Leatherhead in Surrey . The 50-room house was left to Gascoigne by his aunt and godmother , the Duchess of Roxburghe ( pictured ) , who was one of the train-bearers for Queen Elizabeth at the 1937 Coronation of King George VI . Bamber Gascoigne , pictured with his wife Christina , has ‘ accidentally ’ inherited an historic stately home . His aunt had apparently expected him to sell it because of the costly restoration work it needed . But the broadcaster and his wife Christina have embarked on a mission to save the crumbling estate . The house could be worth £10million once the restoration has been completed . They plan to finance the work by selling an estimated £2.2million of jewels , paintings , furniture and artefacts , which they found in the house . The 700 lots will be auctioned by Sotheby ’ s in May . Mr Gascoigne is committed to ensuring his aunt ’ s house ‘ continues to stand as a monument of its remarkable past ’ , and hopes eventually to open it to the public . ‘ It was completely unexpected by me that I would be heir to her estate , ’ he told The Sunday Telegraph . ‘ She had expressed that , given the work required to restore the house , she expected I would sell it . ‘ But it ’ s such an incredible place and we knew it well , so the idea of immediately selling it seemed not only amazingly foolish but also missing the fun that was involved . ’
Mr Gascoigne , 80 , has been left a 50-room stately home by his aunt . Ex-University Challenge host says he inherited the property 'by accident ' West Horsley Place near Leatherhead in Surrey could be worth £10million . Property has its roots in 11th century and has been visited by royalty .