Someone with a cottage or home in Huntsville, Ont., could potentially host to a famous tenant.
British actor and comedian John Cleese tweeted on Monday that he needed a place to stay in Huntsville — a community of some 19,000 people, about 215 kilometres north of Toronto — while he works on a new movie.
Cleese, best known for co-founding comedy troupe Monty Python, said his Airbnb rental had been given to another person, even though he said the company had already taken his money.
“Why did they take the money, then?” he wrote.
An Airbnb spokesperson said Cleese’s team requested a home, but the reservation was never accepted by the host. Airbnb, which earlier offered an apology on Twitter, says it automatically refunded the initial charges.
Does anyone in Huntsville, Ontario have a nice place I can rent to live in while I make a film
Airbnb took our money but now say they’ve given our house to someone else
(Why did they take the money, then ?)
—@JohnCleese
“We are truly honoured that a legend such as Mr. Cleese would be interested in booking an Airbnb listing,” the company said in a statement.
“We’ve been in touch with his team throughout the day to provide our support and help clarify the situation.”
Hi John, we’re very sorry to hear about this and want to help you get this sorted. Can you please DM us more information about the reservation that was cancelled? Thank you. https://t.co/WCQEFGIlXC
—@AirbnbHelp
Outpouring of offers
By Wednesday afternoon, Cleese’s tweet had over 1,000 replies, many from Ontarians offering their cottage or home.
“Hi John, we have a great cottage in the area on a nice lake about 30 mins from Huntsville,” one wrote. “What dates are you looking for?”
Some also told Cleese they would try not to mention Monty Python or his other work during his stay.
Hi John, we have a great cottage in the area on a nice lake about 30 mins from Huntsville. What dates are you looking for? We are only booked thru the 3rd week of august. Empty after that. 5 bdrm, 3 bath, 3 level, modern log cottage with all the amenities. Built in 2016. Rob.
—@robcrncich
You can rent our place. It’s not huge, but the sunsets are incredible. 5 minutes from town. pic.twitter.com/6uBuAhQrPn
—@melissaeramon
“I’m about two hours away from Huntsville. I would be willing to give you the master bedroom,” wrote another Twitter user.
“You’d have to sleep beside my wife, but I promise her snoring is better now. At first I would have a lot of questions about Python and Fawlty Towers, but those would slow down over time.”
I’m about two hours away from Huntsville. I would be willing to give you the master bedroom. You’d have to sleep beside my wife, but I promise her snoring is better now. At first I would have a lot of questions about Python and Fawlty Towers, but those would slow down over time
—@VasDeferen
Cleese later thanked Ontarians for reaching out and said he will look into their requests.
So many helpful suggestions !
We’ll follow them up
Thanks, Ontarians !!
—@JohnCleese
It is unclear what movie Cleese is filming in Ontario though, according to the Internet Movie Database, he is currently in pre-production on Cut the Painter, playing a retired writer living in a small Canadian town. Saskatchewan’s Eric Peterson plays his former writing partner.