Charlotte Crosby has opened up about the "special" Bolton home she shares with boyfriend Joshua Ritchie.

The Geordie Shore star moved to the town earlier this year from the North East.

During a Q&A with fans on Instagram, the 29-year-old spoke about the big move - and revealed she still owns her sprawling £1m Newcastle mansion, reports OK Online. 

One follower asked: "Why did you leave your mansion to move into a smaller home?"

Charlotte, who shot to fame on reality TV, responded: "I still have my home in Newcastle, I love it and treasure it so much, and it will forever hold so many amazing memories, which is why I won't let it go...

"But you could have the biggest grandest house in the world but the fact of the matter is when you're in it on your own, especially after all my family left, it just felt like a really big empty space, it was so lonely and quiet and kinda scary.

"It was just a huge house not a home. I will hold on to the house hopefully forever."

Josh is from Bolton and found fame on Love Island in 2015.

Charlotte continued: "But in the meantime because I didn't want to rush into a mortgage with Josh, with it being such a huge financial commitment. We wanted to rent and have a trial period, to see we could do it.

"It is however just a short term thing until the time feels right to make the mortgage step and then don't you all worry I'll be back in a HUGE HOUSE.

"We've made the place we are in now so incredibly warm and cosy and it feels sooo lovely I can't wait to spend the cosiest winter there.

"It's really special to us because it's our first place together."