Rock star could be baronet's heir

Sir Benjamin has no children or close family

A Somerset aristocrat searching for an heir to his 13th Century £7.5m mansion thinks an American rock star is the man for the job.

Baronet Sir Benjamin Slade, 59, has spent 18 months looking for a relation prepared to take on Maunsel House.

Sir Benjamin was e-mailed by Isaac Slade, 24, lead singer of chart stars The Fray, after the search was made into a TV programme.

The baronet is to consult a genealogist to establish their relationship.

"He could be the answer to our dream," said Sir Benjamin.

After "I'm Really a Royal" was broadcast last year on the Discovery Channel, Sir Benjamin received 15,000 applications.

It would be a great weight off my mind if I can move out of this house Sir Benjamin Slade

"When he first got in contact I wondered who the hell he was," said Sir Benjamin.

"But my friend persuaded me to go and watch The Fray and I must say they are quite a band."

After the concert in Shepherds Bush, Isaac Slade was invited to spend time at Maunsel House.

Sir Benjamin went to see The Fray in concert

"He was charming and I was particularly impressed by how he doesn't drink or take drugs," said Sir Benjamin.

The Slades have lived at the home, near Bridgwater, since the 18th Century.

The 700-year-old property has nine bedrooms, a ballroom, a library and 1,500 acres of land.

Sir Benjamin, who has no children or close family, said he planned to visit a genealogist over the next few days to discover if Slade was his closest relative.

"It would be a great weight off my mind if I can move out of this house," he added.

The title track of The Fray's debut album, How to Save a Life, reached No4 in the UK and sold more than five million copies in the US.