Queen guitarist Brian May and his actress wife Anita Dobson are quitting their London home after flooding.
The couple said they will be leaving the “brutal” capital after heavy rainfall last month swamped their Kensington house.
Carpets and rugs were ruined.
But more importantly, Brian’s childhood photograph albums were damaged beyond repair.
Anita also lost treasured memories.
Brian said: “The funny thing is we actually hated living where we are for a long time.
“We put a lot of love and care into building the house, but the surroundings have been horrible for such a long time.
“They have been building basements now for about eight years all around and there is constant noise, traffic and dust, pollution, and rudeness.
“London now is brutal.
“What this flood has done is be the catalyst.
“We are going to get out. We just have to leave.”
Brian, 74, and Anita returned to the house last month only to find it awash with rain water.
He told the Daily Mirror:
“I got an honorary doctorate that day and we drove back to the house and the floor was floating with black sewage.
“It’s really unpleasant and we are never going to feel the same about that house again.
“We are not going to get it back what it was.
“For us it is time to quit, and I am OK about that now.
“I never dreamed our basement was going to flood and I did not sleep for about four days trying to rescue these photos, memorabilia and these little pieces.
“Stupidly I did not have all my photos backed up but now they are.
“So, make sure you scan your photos.”
