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Cross-dressing Gravesend hoarder Jim Bell, who has collected tonnes of women's clothes, features on Channel 4's Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners

A hoarder with 10 tonnes of stuff collected from boot fairs - including stacks of women’s clothing - is appearing on Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners tonight.

Jim Bell, 53, from Harmer Street in Gravesend has been collecting from boot fairs for the past 30 years, including bits for his other hobby, cross-dressing.

On a good week, Jim, who will appear in the third series of the show at 8pm, can get around five boot fairs a week.

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Jim has a large collection of women's clothes
Jim has a large collection of women's clothes

Not only is his house filled to the brim, but he’s got four cars filled with boxes, alongside two garages.

“They came down for a week and cleaned three rooms - it took them days and days. I’ve still got the bedroom and front room and the basement full of stuff" - Jim Bell

The father-of-two will be seen on the popular Channel 4 programme getting a visit from Gemma who cleans for 12 hours a week, going through two vacuum cleaners a year.

It was her job to try and make Jim’s home more habitable, including stripping out the junk from his kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

Jim, who says his OCD is an Obsessive Collecting Disorder, said: “I had tonnes of stuff, a lot of it was collectables that I got from boot fairs and I’ve been going to them for over 30 years.

“I like to get collectables and women’s clothes and shoes, the women all like to come round and have a look and its for my other hobby which is cross dressing.

Jim and Gemma
Jim and Gemma

“I do get rid of stuff but then I get more and more and so it builds up. I actually met with the programme at the boot fair, they were going around looking for people to be on the programme.

“They came down for a week and cleaned three rooms - it took them days and days. I’ve still got the bedroom and front room and the basement full of stuff. That’ll take months and months. I’m still sorting through it.”

Video: Jim Bell on Channel 4's Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners

Despite this, Jim says he has managed to keep the three clear rooms free from his collectables and even parted with some at a jumble sale in West Crescent Road - the rear of his home as the front door remains blocked with his collection.

The former Northfleet School for Boys pupil, who lives with his dog Lucky, added: “I’m really pleased with it, It was hard work and took ages. I’ve got stuff that I can’t get rid of but it’s a bit better now.”


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