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The Phantom of the Opera is now the Phantom of Opito Bay - stage legend Michael Crawford has paid $3 million for "the nicest house in the Bay of Islands".
Rumours have been flying around Kerikeri and Opito Bay, with several reported sightings of the 63-year-old actor, made famous in musicals such as Phantom of the Opera and TV show Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. But the Herald on Sunday has received confirmation the star has purchased the house for around $3m.
The house, in the hills overlooking Doves Bay, is believed to have been sold by real estate agent Pete Hendl from Real Kerikeri.
Hendl would not comment, but the actor has put in an unconditional offer with the settlement going through on December 20.
The previous owner, Jim Bergin, is a US developer who built the Waipapa Warehouse complex. He built the house for his family but is now moving to Noosa.
"I built it for my family. It's probably the nicest house in the Bay of Islands."
Bergin refused to confirm rumours about the new owner but said the buyer was well known.
"It is somebody in the entertainment world but I can't confirm it's Michael Crawford," said Bergin.
Crawford, who is known in Britain and here for the 1970s series Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, is best known for his role as the Phantom.
The internationally famed star won a Tony award in 1988 for playing the musical role, the highest honour given by Broadway.
