Concerns Grow Over Whereabouts of Sir Ranulph Fiennes as Family Says They Cannot Reach Him

Family members and friends of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the celebrated British explorer, say they have been unable to visit or make contact with him for months, deepening a mystery surrounding the whereabouts of a man once described as the world's greatest living explorer.

His former sister-in-law has told the BBC that she does not know where he is, and that nobody close to him has been permitted to go and see him. The comments add to a growing sense of alarm among those who know him.

It has been alleged that Sir Ranulph, who is 82, has been admitted to a number of care homes under assumed names. The claims follow what has been described as a family rift involving his second wife, Louise Millington-Cotes.

Louise Millington-Cotes did not immediately respond to those allegations, nor to the BBC's request for comment. The absence of a response leaves key questions about the explorer's circumstances unanswered.

Cheshire Police have confirmed they are aware of the concerns being raised about Sir Ranulph. The force said it is satisfied that he is living in an appropriate setting and is receiving suitable care, and that there are "no immediate safeguarding concerns."

The explorer has not been seen in public for nearly two years. His withdrawal from public view came just months after he spoke openly about being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a disclosure that prompted an outpouring of support from across the country.

Sir Ranulph built his reputation through a series of record-breaking expeditions. In the early 1980s he became the first person to reach both the north and south poles by surface means, a feat that helped cement his standing in the history of exploration. The Guinness Book of Records has described him as "the world's greatest living explorer."

His stepson, Alex Millington-Cotes, has now spoken out about his fears. He told Newsnight that he wants power of attorney "removed from my own mother" and placed instead with people who have the explorer's "best interests in mind."

He said Sir Ranulph is "not an isolated type of person," adding that seeing him isolated now is "very painful." The remarks suggest a deep division within the family over who should be responsible for the explorer's welfare and affairs.

Last week, Alex Millington-Cotes launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for legal fees. He said the funds were needed to "locate and safeguard" Sir Ranulph, describing the effort as a response to the family's concern and desperation after trying "multiple avenues" to find his stepfather.

Arabella Pepper, the younger sister of Sir Ranulph's late first wife, Ginny, has also raised concerns. She told Newsnight that she has been unable to see her former brother-in-law for more than a year.

"All his friends and family want to see him and take him Toblerones and cheer him up, but we don't know where he is, and he's not available, he's not accessible — that's what worries us," she said, describing the anguish felt by those who have long been part of his life.

Pepper alleges that the only occasion she managed to see him was in July 2025, after she admitted herself to a care home where she had been told he was staying. Her account suggests that access to the explorer has been tightly restricted for an extended period.

She recalled the encounter in emotional terms. "The first thing I said to him, apart from the usual greetings, was that everybody was worried about him, was looking for him, was longing to see him," she told the BBC.

According to her account, Sir Ranulph's response was immediate and heartfelt. "The relief on his face was very obvious, and he said, send a message to everybody, send them my love, tell them I love them and tell them I'm longing to see them," she said.

The case raises difficult questions about the rights of elderly people whose care arrangements are controlled by relatives. Legal experts note that power of attorney is a significant responsibility, intended to ensure that an individual's wishes and wellbeing are protected when they can no longer make decisions for themselves.

Parkinson's disease, the condition Sir Ranulph has spoken about, is a progressive disorder that can affect movement and, in some cases, cognitive function. Those diagnosed with it frequently require increasing levels of support over time, making decisions about care and contact with loved ones especially sensitive.

For now, the police assessment that Sir Ranulph is in a suitable setting has not quieted the anxieties of his family and friends. Their repeated appeals suggest that, whatever the formal safeguarding position, a personal and painful dispute remains unresolved for one of Britain's most admired public figures.