Phantom buyer unmasked

British actor and singer Michael Crawford is believed to have paid around $2.65 million for a luxury pad near Kerikeri.
The actor, famous for his roles as Frank Spencer in the BBC comedy Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and for being the first Phantom in the hit musical Phantom of the Opera, is understood to have bought a brand new 500sq m property in Doves Bay.
The four-bedroom property sits on 0.8ha of land on Opito Rd.
It's not known how much Crawford paid for the house but it's understood the property was on the market for $2.65 million.
The house boasts sea views from every room and has a heated swimming pool, three bathrooms and a four-car garage.
Kerikeri real estate agent Pete Hendl, who sold the property, refused to comment on the sale.
Crawford has been to New Zealand several times, last performing here in March in a concert at New Plymouth to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy.