Graham Kirkham, Baron Kirkham - Personal Life

Personal Life

Kirkham married Pauline Fisher in 1965 The couple have daughter Julie Ann Kirkham (born December 13, 1966), and son Sean Michael Kirkham (born August 9, 1972).

Kirkham has two houses in his native South Yorkshire, one in Cadeby Road, Sprotborough; and Grade II-listed Georgian mansion Cantley Hall which he bought in 1990 from motor dealer John Carnell. Neighbours have complained about both a wall Kirkham built to protect his privacy, as well as noise from a 1998 fireworks party at which the singer was Elaine Paige.

Kirkham furnishes his homes using DFS sofas, as well as old master paintings including John Constable's View of the Stour (bought for £6.7m) and Thomas Gainsborough's Peasants Going To Market (bought for £3.5m). In 1997 Kirkham lent works by Édouard Manet and Orazio Gentileschi to the Getty Center in Brentwood, Los Angeles.

Kirkham has a deep seated interest in dogs and owns Dalmatians. He has been a Kennel Club member since 1995 and while he owned DFS, it was the main sponsor of Crufts for its show in 2010. He is President of Driffield Agricultural Society and is always present on the last day of the championship dog show to make all the main presentations.

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