A well-known South Wales estate agent has been declared bankrupt by the county court.

Alan Darlow of Newport, (pictured) who founded Darlows estate agents, said he was planning to appeal after describing the decision as “hideous”.

The Darlows agency chain was purchased by Spicerhaart after going into receivership in 2000, but continued to trade under the Darlows name. At one time, there were 100 branches of Darlows in Wales and the South West.

Darlow, who was awarded an MBE for his charity work, opened his first chain of estate agents at 25, selling that company to Halifax where he became a regional director before opening Darlows in the nineties. He starred in his own TV adverts during the 1980s.

Administration

He was also a director with Roberts & Co, based in Newport, which went into administration two years ago.

Roberts and Co was well known in the industry, and locally, for another reason. Darlow, who is a friend of singer David Essex, in 2008 backed the star’s new musical All The Fun of the Fair which went on to be a hit including a spell at London’s Garrick Theatre.

Alan’s daughter, Katie Darlow, at one point appeared in the show.

The insolvency practitioner involved in the case is Ms Louise Brittain of Azets. She told local media that she is unable to comment on individual cases.