THE whereabouts of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, a legendary figure on Exmoor for more than 40 years, remained shrouded in mystery this week.

Neighbours of the remote Greenlands Farm, near Exford, waited anxiously for any definite news of the 82-year-old Parkinson’s sufferer, who has not been seen in public for two years.

Speculation mounted that Sir Ranulph, hailed as the country’s greatest living explorer, had spent more than a year living in different care homes under false names, allegedly under the control of his second wife Louise Millington-Coates, who has been accused of isolating him from friends and family.

This week, The Times reported it was believed he been moved to a remote farmhouse in Shropshire but no official statement has been issued about his current condition.

King Charles, patron of many of Sir Ranulph’s epic expeditions, is among those who have been reportedly blocked as he tried to check on the wellbeing of his long-time friend, and there have been calls for an investigation by the police and the Office of Public Guardians.

In one of his last interviews before the onset of Parkinson’s disease, Sir Ranulph spoke exclusively to the Free Pressabout how Exmoor came into his life.

He recalled: “We were looking for our ideal country retreat.

“Eventually, we ended up in Dulverton and found this house completely by accident.

“It had been empty for three years and had no electricity, mains water supply, or telephone.

“The roof leaked and the floors were rotten.

“It cost £18,000 just to put in electricity.”

Sir Ranulph’s first wife Ginny died of stomach cancer in 2004.

She had spent years building up the farm with Aberdeen Angus cattle and black Welsh mountain sheep.

Sir Ranulph told the Free Press: “I have no intention of leaving here.

“Of all the places in the world, Exmoor has my heart.”