Ella Henderson home raid: Police search X Factor star's home as parents are held on suspicion of money laundering

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Officers swoop on two houses in Lincolnshire worth a total of £1million
Sean and Michelle Henderson arrested over money-laundering allegations
Ella, 17, shot to fame with moving performances on The X Factor last year

By Chris Brooke for the Daily Mail and Hugo Gye

Published: 08:34 EST, 22 April 2013 | Updated: 05:27 EST, 23 April 2013

Police arrested the parents of X Factor star Ella Henderson yesterday after raiding the family home as part of a money-laundering investigation.

Officers swooped on two large detached houses owned by the teenage singer’s father Sean Henderson, 47, and mother Michelle, 49, in the village of Tetney, near Grimsby.

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Search: Police officers hunt through boxes from Ella Henderson's family home in Tetney, near Grimsby, yesterday

Investigation: The star's parents Sean and Michelle were arrested as police searched the property. Underwater teams were also searching nearby

It is understood that Mrs Henderson was arrested after police arrived in force around 6am at Tetney Manor, the £650,000 family home they built about five years ago.

At least six police vehicles were parked outside the property yesterday morning and officers searching for evidence were seen going in and out with bags and boxes.

Mr Henderson, who is 17-year-old Ella’s manager, was arrested in London by officers from the Metropolitan Police. He was expected to be driven back up north for questioning by Humberside Police.

Star: Miss Henderson, pictured left performing on The X Factor and right with presenter Dermot O'Leary, was tipped to win last year's contest but ended up coming sixth

Officers: The raid at the home in Tetney, Lincolnshire was connected to allegations of money laundering

Ella is living in London, where she is recording her debut album. She was not available for comment last night. Her parents live at Tetney Manor, but also own another luxury four-bedroom property nearby, currently on sale for £375,000.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: ‘There were police everywhere with cars and flashing blue lights. It was obviously a big raid. Sniffer dogs were out around the house as well.
‘I feel sorry for Ella because this is going to affect her career. She has worked so hard.’

Another neighbour said: ‘This is a quiet, sleepy village. It is hard to understand what is going on.’

Officers left after searching the properties for up to seven hours.

Humberside Police said: ‘Officers executed warrants at two addresses in Tetney with the assistance of Lincolnshire Police.

‘A 49-year-old woman was arrested in Tetney and taken to Grimsby police station to be questioned in connection with money-laundering offences.

Swoop: Police raided two homes owned by the Hendersons worth a total of around £1million

Claims: The pair are now being questioned by Humberside Police over the allegations

‘As part of the same inquiry, a 47-year-old man has been arrested on behalf of Humberside Police by officers from the Met. He will be questioned by Humberside Police.’

Ella came sixth in last year’s X Factor contest on TV and was signed by Simon Cowell’s Syco record label in January. A spokesman for the company declined to comment on the arrests.

The singer has spoken about the influence of her family, saying: ‘Having my father around me, that will keep me grounded.’ She has been in the studio this month working on her album with songwriters including Mark Owen of Take That.

‘What I am doing now is an opportunity I have been waiting for my whole life,’ she said in a recent interview. ‘I am back with my piano where it all began, and I am loving having full control over my album.

‘I hope to have a single out by summer, and the album will follow after that.’

Ella said she returned home to the Grimsby area whenever ‘I have a few days off or need a break’.
She added: ‘I love having quality time with my brothers and sister, and, living in London, I miss the Lincolnshire countryside.’