I’m a billionaire but wife won’t let me stay in luxury hotel… I’ve been given a budget of £90-a-day for cycling break

A BILLIONAIRE is set to spend his summer hols living like a commoner because his partner refused to book extravagant accommodation.

John Caudwell raked in the riches after building a booming mobile phone business, setting himself up for a life of luxury - but his girlfriend is keeping him grounded.

(John Caudwell might live in Britain's most expensive home, but his travels are a different story.Credit: Channel 4)

(Modesta has insisted they spend their break like ordinary people)

The former boss of the now defunct Phones 4u retail chain says he's being restricted to a £90-per-night hotel for his one-month summer cycling holiday.

The 71-year-old claims a net worth of £2.6bn according to Forbes, but partner Modesta Vžesniauskaitė put the foot down on booking a lavish hotel.

Modesta, a Lithuanian road-racing cyclist, instead booked them into the more ordinary Alpine accommodation.

Modesta, 40 - who mothers three of John's seven children - said it wasn't "real" to be living the high life at every opportunity.

The destination was also intended to avoid overindulgence, with the couple to pull two kids along in a trailer while cycling rather than kicking the feet up somewhere "fancy" like the Maldives.

Modesta recently told The Times: “We're spending a month cycling through the French Alps … dragging two children in a trailer.

“It's good to stay grounded.”

Caudwell could afford to stay in the Alpine accommodation for nearly 29 million nights before his £2.6bn fortune dwindled to zero.

Based on his previous comments, it's unlikely Caudwell will kick up much of a fuss despite living like an unstoppable Monopoly player with his £250million Mayfair mansion which features its own bar and cinema.

He also owns a ridiculous 73-metre super yacht, but donates much of his wealth to charity.

He said in 2022: "I don’t crave materialistic things, although I’ve got a lot.

He's also been eager to point out he remains sparing when it comes to clothing, despite the flashy jackets he's spotted wearing in public.

He told the iPaper: "Out of the public eye you won’t see me in one of the glitzy jackets I’m known for. They’re just for the charity dinners.

"At home I’ll be in £29 Zara jeans and a shirt."

(John and Modesta say they'll mix with ordinary tourists on the French alps adventure.Credit: Getty)

(John has previously promised his flashy jackets are only for charity events.Credit: Getty)

(Modesta seems insistent on keeping the billionaire grounded.Credit: Getty)

Ref: I’m a billionaire but wife won’t let me stay in luxury hotel… I’ve been given a budget of £90-a-day for cycling break (thesun)

Photo Credit: Channel 4, Getty Images