It's the decadent country mansion bought by Danny Dyer's character in hit TV series Rivals in a bid to flaunt his 1980s wealth. 

But lavish Foxfield, which sits in the idyllic suburb of Lisvane overlooking Cardiff, has real-life drama coursing through its walls. 

The modern property was built 27 years ago by Peter Thomas - who along with his brother Sir Stan was left a pie empire fortune built up by their father Thomas Stanley Thomas.

The home was a bold statement of the family's wealth and the perfect place to entertain stars with Jamie Oliver often brought in to cook up luxury meals.

But the dynasty's dream life was hit by violent tragedy after Sir Stan's grandson Dylan Thomas, 24, was jailed for life with a minimum of 19 years last year having killed his housemate for wanting to move out.

On Christmas Eve morning the unassuming and 'unconfrontational' Dylan ended the life of his old school friend, William Bush, in an attack of almost unimaginable brutality.

Armed with two knives, he targeted Mr Bush from behind, first stabbing him in the back of the neck. 

He then pursued the 23-year-old, inflicting dozens more wounds until he fell to the ground with blood pouring from his severed jugular vein.

For his victim's family the loss of their loved one in such a savage way was as shocking as it was devastating.

Mr Bush had known Thomas since joining the same private school a decade previously. They holidayed, hung out and, finally, shared a house together.

The prosecution case was that he knew exactly what he was doing and had planned the attack in advance, even studying the anatomy of the neck hours earlier.

It was suggested his 'resentment' of Mr Bush had been growing as the dynamic of their friendship changed, with Mr Bush planning on moving out to live with his girlfriend.

While Thomas did not give evidence in the case, watching via video link from Ashworth secure psychiatric hospital, it was claimed in his defence that he was psychotic at the time of the killing and had since been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

In the weeks leading up to the incident, the court heard, there had been signs of mental illness, with worrying comments made to Mr Bush and others. 

In a message addressed to Elon Musk, he offered to help him 'solve gravity'.

Then, in November, Thomas was arrested having climbed over a fence surrounding Buckingham Palace. 

While in custody he was interviewed by a psychiatrist but released on bail – meaning he was free to kill his housemate.

A slightly lighter tone is struck at Foxfield in the hit adaptation of Jilly Cooper's Rivals - which this month returned for a second season. 

'New money' Freddie Jones and his wife Val - played by Dyer and Lisa McGrillis - splash out on the home, fictitiously named Bella Vista, in a display of their wealth.

The Disney+ show centres around the power struggle between two TV titans based in the Cotswolds - and all the debauchery that comes with it.

Foxfield was put on the market in 2025 after being named the most expensive house in Wales. Indeed, it was three times more expensive than the previous year's highest priced home in Wales which was £2.5million.

Agents Fine and Country said at the time: 'In 1999, the current house was constructed, a labour of love and a true passion project.

'As a family involved in property development, this project held special significance, blending our personal ambition with professional expertise.

'Proudly rooted in Welsh heritage, the family worked with a Welsh architect and prioritised using local materials and craftsmen, making the construction of Foxfield a tribute to our cultural pride.

'Spanning three years, the build was a monumental undertaking, yet the result was a home that, despite its grandeur, remains warm and inviting.'

Thomas Stanley Thomas, known as Stan, launched Thomas Pies in the 1950s, selling sausage rolls, pies and pasties around the south Wales valleys.

By 1976, the family company had moved to its current base in Bedwas, Caerphilly, when it became known as Peter's Pies.

After their father's retirement in 1986, Peter and Sir Stan took over. They made their first fortune when they sold the business for £75m in 1988.