From Birmingham to the Jungle: Good Luck, Wayne Rooney, from Partridge Homes

With Wayne Rooney heading into I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! 2026, everyone at Partridge Homes will be cheering him on.

For our team, the news brings back fond memories of helping Wayne find a home when he became Birmingham City manager. It was a relocation that generated plenty of interest, gave one of our landlords a wonderful surprise and left Paul Partridge with a memorable story about a trip to Sainsbury’s.

Behind the famous name, Paul remembers a humble, down-to-earth person who was a pleasure to help.

When everyone suddenly had the “perfect property”

Through our sports and entertainment relocation work, we regularly help people whose arrival attracts attention. Even so, the response to Wayne moving to Birmingham was particularly memorable.

Paul recalls:

“My phone practically exploded. We had landlords and developers contacting us because they knew we would be helping Wayne move to the area.

“Some were people we had never spoken to before, while others hadn’t really given us the time of day previously. Suddenly, everyone wanted to be the landlord or developer who had the ‘perfect property’ for Wayne Rooney.

“There was certainly no shortage of suggestions. Our job was to stay focused on what would actually suit him and find somewhere he could settle.”

As it happened, the right home came through a relationship we were already developing.

A lovely surprise for one of our landlords

The property Wayne eventually moved into belonged to a landlord who was already in discussions with Partridge Homes about coming on board.

“We found an amazing property,” says Paul. “We were already negotiating with the landlord about joining us, so it was a lovely surprise for them to discover that one of England’s greatest ever footballers would be moving into their home.”

It became a particularly memorable start to that landlord’s relationship with Partridge Homes.

A mutual friend and an immediate connection

Although meeting someone as well known as Wayne could feel daunting, Paul soon discovered they had something in common beyond property and football.

“It helped that Wayne knew a close friend of mine from their England youth days. Their paths had then crossed again while completing their UEFA coaching badges.

“Having a friend in common gave us something to chat about and helped build a rapport from the outset.

“I found him incredibly down to earth and humble. He was approachable, relaxed and a pleasure to deal with.”

Wayne Rooney, some missing cutlery and the local Sainsbury’s

Paul personally handled Wayne’s move-in, and one small moment during the handover has stayed with him.

“When I moved Wayne in, we realised the property didn’t have any cutlery. I recommended a local Sainsbury’s, and he said he would take a drive over and pick some up.

“It was such an ordinary conversation, which is probably why I remember it so clearly. Here was someone recognised around the world, happily talking about popping to the supermarket for knives and forks.

“For me, that summed up how down to earth he was.”

Moving home involves all sorts of practical details. Sometimes, the simplest moments leave the strongest impression.

A Q&A with Paul Partridge: Wayne Rooney and high profile relocation

What was Wayne Rooney like in person?

I found Wayne incredibly down to earth, humble and easy to get along with. He has been in the spotlight from such a young age, but he was relaxed, approachable and a pleasure to help.

It also helped that we had a close friend in common. Wayne knew a good friend of mine from their England youth days, and their paths had crossed again while completing their UEFA coaching badges. That connection gave us something to chat about and helped build a rapport straight away.

The conversation about popping to Sainsbury’s for cutlery sums up my experience of him perfectly. An everyday moment with someone who has had an extraordinary career.

Did you receive a lot of property offers because it was Wayne?

Absolutely. The phone went mad. Landlords and developers were getting in touch because they knew we were involved in helping him relocate.

Some were people we had never dealt with before. Everyone seemed to have the perfect property, but we still needed to assess each suggestion against what Wayne actually needed.

How did you find the property he moved into?

It belonged to a landlord we were already in negotiations with about bringing their property to Partridge Homes.

It was an amazing home and proved to be a great fit. The landlord certainly hadn’t expected those initial conversations with us to lead to Wayne Rooney moving in!

How do you approach finding a home for a professional footballer or high profile client?

We begin by listening and understanding their circumstances. Their working routine, family situation, preferred location and moving timescale all help shape the search.

For a footballer or manager, the journey to training can be important. Privacy, parking, furnishings and space for family may also influence the decision. Understanding those details helps us identify properties that will work for everyday life.

How important is discretion?

It is central to the relationship. Clients need to feel comfortable discussing their requirements and confident that their personal information will be handled carefully.

We can share a fond recollection of helping Wayne without identifying his former home or discussing private arrangements. That respect for privacy matters throughout our work.

Does knowing someone in common help?

Of course. In Wayne’s case, discovering that he knew a close friend of mine gave us a natural connection and something to talk about.

A shared connection can help someone feel at ease, but you still have to deliver the service. They are trusting you to help them find a home and make the move as straightforward as possible.

Do you personally help clients move in?

Yes. I personally moved Wayne in, and I enjoy being involved at that stage.

The handover is an opportunity to answer questions, explain practical details and help someone feel welcome in a new area. As the cutlery story shows, there can always be a small detail to sort out!

What makes a property suitable for a relocation client?

It depends on the individual. A property needs to suit their routine and circumstances, so the right location and practical arrangements are just as important as its appearance.

Preparation also makes a difference. A well-presented home, clear information about what is included and good communication can make the arrival much easier.

For furnished properties, landlords should think about the everyday essentials someone will need from their first evening.

Do you only work with footballers?

Our relocation work also includes managers, club staff, entertainment professionals and business executives.

Every client has different priorities. We take the time to understand those requirements and tailor the property search accordingly.

Will the team be supporting Wayne in the jungle?

Definitely. It is great to see him looking so well, and we hope he has a brilliant experience.

We have fond memories of helping him settle into the Birmingham area, and everyone at Partridge Homes will be cheering him on.

Good luck, Wayne!

From helping Wayne settle into a home in Birmingham to watching him take on a very different living arrangement in the jungle, it is lovely to look back on our time working with him.

Having spent so much of his life in the spotlight, we hope this gives viewers the chance to see more of the approachable, down-to-earth person Paul remembers.

Wayne, thank you for being such a pleasure to help. From everyone at Partridge Homes, we wish you all the very best for I’m a Celebrity 2026.

Hopefully, this time, somebody else has remembered the cutlery!

Footballer Relocation in Birmingham, Solihull and Beyond

Partridge Homes helps professional footballers, managers, club staff, entertainment professionals and business executives find rental homes in Birmingham, Solihull and the wider West Midlands.

Our core areas include Knowle, Dorridge, Dickens Heath, Lapworth, Barnt Green, Edgbaston, Sutton Coldfield and Little Aston. Through our relationships with letting agencies, we also assist with relocation requirements in Cheshire and London.

Whether you are moving for a new club, looking for a home for your family or have a rental property that could suit one of our clients, contact Paul Partridge to discuss how we can help.