Ben Fogle: ‘I’m deeply disturbed by stories concerning my friend Ranulph Fiennes’

| Deputy TV editor Published September 26, 2026 12:23pm Updated September 26, 2026 12:23pm Ben Fogle has said he’s disturbed by the stories about Fiennes (Picture: Instagram/@benfogle) Adventurer and broadcaster Ben Fogle has shared his concerns about his friend Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Fiennes, 82, has allegedly been ‘unlawfully deprived of his liberty’ after being placed in a series of care homes. Friends have claimed that Fiennes’ wife Louise Millington-Cotes strictly controls who can visit and instructed staff to disguise the world’s greatest living explorer when out in public. Fogle, who has previously called Fiennes an inspiration, has now shared his thoughts on the situation on Instagram. ‘I’ve been deeply disturbed by the stories concerning my friend Ran Fiennes,’ he wrote. ‘That such a great man, hero of mine and a national treasure, should be treated in this way, isolated and kept away from family and friends, is very troubling. It is time for the Office of the Public Guardian and the police to investigate this case.’ Earlier this week, The Daily Telegraph reported that one of the facilities where Sir Ranulph lived had raised concerns over his welfare with the authorities and the police. It’s believed the owner wrote to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), alerting them of the medical arrangements made by Millington-Cotes. This reportedly included concerns about a ‘do not resuscitate’ document she provided. The care home owner also raised concerns with the Care Inspectorate of Wales, which declared Sir Ranulph was being unlawfully kept in care homes and unable to consent to his care or treatment. Louise Millington-Cotes has allegedly been strictly controlling who can see her husband (Picture: PA) Finnes’ family and friends are now allegedly considering taking legal action to challenge her guardianship. Alexander Millington-Cotes, Sir Ranulph’s stepson and Mrs Millington-Cotes’s estranged son, told The Telegraph he called the OPG and spoke to their safeguarding team, but had “heard nothing back so far”. Meanwhile, veteran foreign correspondent John Simpson wrote on X, ‘Horrified to hear what’s happened to my good friend Ran Fiennes. Fogle isn’t the only friend raising concerns about Fiennes’ treatment (Picture: Mark Fisher) ‘I’d like to tell the relevant authorities everything I know about the way he’s been treated. He’s the world’s bravest man, and he’s vulnerable. We must know what’s happening to him.’ Sir Finnes had reportedly spent time in a care home in London,Wales, and Cheshire. Deals of the Day I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 Oodie’s cosy blanket sale has arrived just in time for Christmas shopping Save over £700 on Simba's top-rated mattresses in this limited-time sale It is alleged that during his stay in London, Millington-Cotes made his friend sign non-disclosure agreements if they wanted to see him. Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.