Woman whose house listing went viral after pictures of…

Woman whose house listing went viral after pictures of bizarre life-size dolls reveals real reason for buying them

A woman whose house listing went viral online after bizarre pictures showed a life-size doll sitting on the sofa has now revealed the real reason for buying them - and people's desperation to become their new owners.

Fallon Jerome, who lives in the two-bed house for sale in Blackley, was left dumbfounded by the reaction to the listing and told of how they actually own two of the mannequins that they have become 'very attached to'.

There had initially been speculation on Twitter that the female mannequin, seen sitting under the stairs in fishnet tights, a red dress and heels, was a sex doll. However, owner Fallon has revealed they were actually bought to deter opportunists from burgling the house when they went on holiday.

In true Home Alone style, the two mannequins, named Harper and Hunter, are dressed up in festive jumpers during the Christmas season and are sat reading a magazine or with dummy cigarettes in their hands to appear even more lifelike.

Fallon, who lives at the property with her nana, said the family first bought the life-size dolls after Noel Edmonds admitted he used to take a figure named Liz with him in the back of a taxi to the set of Deal or No Deal to prevent people flagging him down.

The 30-year-old said: "We used to have a caravan and the house would be empty for weeks. Noel Edmonds had a doll and it gave us the idea to put them into the house so that when people peered through the window, they thought we were in.

"We have had them reading magazines or even sitting in the conservatory having a cigarette. We have a reborn doll and sometimes we have her holding baby and normally sit them both in the conservatory for people passing as we have a back gate.

The dolls were purchased to deter opportunists from burgling the home when they were away (Fallon Jerome)

"The property agent said it's one of the highest viewings on Rightmove in the area because of the story and that people are asking to buy them, we just can't believe it."

After the Manchester Evening News first reported the two-bed house was for sale with the unexpected guest in the pictures, Fallon says swathes of people have been calling estate agents Henstock Property Services desperate to buy the mannequins or asking to go round just to visit them.

She is now hoping to auction the mannequins to the highest bidder due to the family moving and downsizing to a bungalow after living at the Normanton Drive property for 28 years.

The house went viral after the listing included pictures of Harper sat under the stairs (Henstock Property Services)

"It's been such a laugh with us all," she added. "Anyone who comes around is mesmerised by them. When people like the gas man come round we introduce them and sometimes they even have pictures with them. We decided to keep them as we all grew attached to them.

"People have been ringing the property agent saying they want to come round and see the dolls instead of seeing the house. Someone has even put in an offer for the doll through the estate agents.

"We are wanting to move somewhere smaller and may not have room for them because they take up quite a bit of room. We didn't know this was going to blow up like it has. We are considering doing an online auction and selling them to the highest bidder."

The listing for the two-bed house, priced at £160,000, along with pictures of Harper sat underneath the stairs can be seen on Rightmove here.

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