SIMON Howard of the famous Castle Howard estate in North Yorkshire has died, it has been announced today.

Simon was in charge of Castle Howard for 30-years and in November he was placed the sex offenders’ register for five years for sexually abusing a child.

He was not convicted of any crime because his case was dealt with under legislation for defendants who are mentally ill or insane.

A spokesperson for the Castle Howard estate said: "We are able to confirm that very sadly, Simon Howard has died, following an ongoing illness and recent complications with his diabetes.

"We would ask for the family to be afforded privacy at this difficult time."

The 66-year-old, who lived in Norton, had suffered irreparable brain damage from a fall at his home in early 2020.

Simon married his first wife Annette  Howard in 1983.

Their marriage ended in divorce after 16 years and Annette died in 2020 at the age of 71.

Simon, who remarried and had two children with his second wife Rebecca, stepped down from running Castle Howard in 2015 amid an apparent falling out with his older brother Nicholas, who took over and moved in to the ancestral home with his family.

Simon moved to Welham Hall, a country house off Welham Road in Norton.

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