Channel 4's Kirstie Allsopp has come under fire after saying 'loads' of youngsters can afford to buy a home.
The property presenter, best known for co-hosting shows like Location, Location, Location and Love It or List It UK, claims that young people could own their first home today if they gave up their luxuries.
The 50-year-old, whose family reportedly helped her buy her first home aged 21, said if young people stopped paying for coffees, gym memberships and Netflix subscriptions they would be able to get onto the property ladder.
The Relocation, Relocation presenter said she feels “enraged” when youngsters claim they can not afford to buy a home, reports the Mirror.
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Kirstie also advised that first-time buyers should move in with their parents or 'find homes up north' in cheaper areas to afford their lifestyles whilst saving for a deposit on a home.
According to the Sunday Times, the property guru is said to have bought her first home with her family's financial help at the age of 21, when the average house price in the UK was around £51,000.
Adjusted for inflation, that is £112,000, compared with £255,556 for the average cost of a home today.
"When I bought my first property, going abroad, the EasyJet, coffee, gym, Netflix lifestyle didn't exist," she told The Times.
"I used to walk to work with a sandwich. And on payday I'd go for a pizza, and to a movie, and buy a lipstick."
The presenter acknowledged that interest rates were much lower today, but added that there were 'new drains on the finances' of today's young first-time buyers.
"I don't want to belittle those people who can't do it," the presenter continued.
"But there are loads of people who can do it and don't. It is hard. We've fallen into the trap of saying it's impossible for everybody. It's about where you can buy, not if you can buy. There is an issue around the desire to make those sacrifices.
"I’m up in Nottingham right now and there’s a nice three-bedroom home with a long garden on for £320,000. I get enraged when people say they can’t afford to buy. They can.
"But they have to move, which is hard if you don’t have roots there. I know there are many who can’t afford to buy, but others are not willing to make the sacrifices."
Kirstie went on: "Ask yourself, could you get a job, live at home with your parents for three years, and save every penny for a deposit? I’ve seen people do it. They make enormous sacrifices. It’s not impossible for everybody."
Kirstie's comments have sparked a debate on Twitter, with many criticising the presenter's opinion.
First-time buyers and some big names have furiously hit out at the star who 'got her home handed to her' by her family when house prices were low.
Former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan blasted the Location, Location, Location presenter in a scathing tweet after her 'insensitive' comments.
"Every time Kirstie Allsopp trends, I check why and see she’s said another unbelievably stupid, ludicrously ill-informed and woefully privileged thing," the 56-year-old star tweeted.
"Then I wait for her to respond to the entirely justified outrage by throwing her toys out of the pram and quitting Twitter again," he added.
"Kirstie Allsopp is living proof that any privately-educated daughter of a baron can buy their first home at 21 so don't let anyone tell you otherwise," one Twitter user wrote.
"Kirstie Allsopp is quite right. I just cancelled Netflix and bought a house for £5.99," another fumed.
"Kirstie Allsopp needs to learn when to stop talking. She bought a house for £51,000!!!!!! Anyone could do that today if they stopped their gym and Netlix memberships. Not for a house worth £320k though," someone else pointed out.
Meanwhile, a fourth fumed: "Outraged by her silly comments. As if quitting Netflix would amount enough money to buy a house in London. Get a grip."
