Rumour has it the world's sexiest man is moving to Bucks. Word on the street is that Hollywood heart-throb Brad Pitt, a fixture in the globe's most gorgeous hunk list, is hankering after a home life shielded from the paparrazi in a property he's bought in Penn.

The smart money is on a six bedroom grade II listed Regency house with heated outdoor pool in a two acre garden hidden from view by a high brick wall and wooden gates. That's the property they say has taken the fancy of the 41-year-old actor who's frequently been spotted in recent weeks enjoying the delights of a quiet life in the Chilterns with former co-star Angelina Jolie.

The A-list couple became close while they were playing husband and wife secret agents in the recently released film Mr & Mrs Smith. Now they're said to be an item big time.

If Brad does turn out to be the mystery buyer of the quintessential English country house that's been on Knight Frank's books for £2.5 million, he couldn't be better sorted for seeing more of Angelina and her son Maddox in their country home a quarter of an hour's drive away in Fulmer.

Damian Gray at Knight Frank's Beaconsfield office would never divulge the identity of buyers, but other country house agents have heard the rumours.

Certainly the neighbours wouldn't be fazed to find the former husband of Friends star Jennifer Aniston in their midst. The owners of the large houses dotted around the lanes of Penn, Beaconsfield, Amersham and Gerrards Cross include legions of household names and captains of industry.

Staff at the Hit or Miss pub opposite the village cricket field in nearby Penn Street said they hadn't yet had the pleasure of serving Brad. "If he does come in, we'll make sure he has an excellent time," they promised.

Unfortunately the actor wasn't available for comment.