Tom Cruise leaves London penthouse abruptly as staff surprised over sudden return to US

Tom Cruise has reportedly left his London home at short notice, with staff said to be surprised by move

Tom Cruise has reportedly left the UK and returned to the United States after making a sudden decision to vacate his London penthouse, a move that sources say surprised staff at the property.

According to a source cited by The Mail on Sunday, the actor departed the country with little notice, with staff seen removing boxes of belongings from his £35 million London apartment overlooking Hyde Park.

The source described the situation as unexpected, saying the decision happened “very quickly” and left those working at the building “stunned”.

The source added that Cruise had appeared settled in London, where he was known to enjoy regular runs around Hyde Park and walks in the local area. He was also said to frequently travel by helicopter from Battersea Heliport to destinations in the British countryside. “Tom loved London,” the source said, adding, “It’s most strange.”

Cruise has spent several years based in the UK, where he filmed multiple projects and was frequently seen socialising. In 2022, he described himself as an “Anglophile”, saying he spent a lot of time in Britain for reasons beyond work.

He later received a BFI Fellowship in 2025 in recognition of his contribution to the UK film industry, telling attendees he had “no plans to stop” making films in the country.

The actor’s abrupt departure follows reports of local frustration in East Grinstead, West Sussex, where Cruise regularly attends the Church of Scientology’s annual fundraiser.

Residents have complained about noise, traffic disruption and helicopter arrivals linked to the event. Former Scientologist Alexander Barnes-Ross said locals were “extremely frustrated and angered” by the impact on daily life.

According to reports, residents have since filed a complaint with Mid Sussex District Council, prompting a review of the Church’s premises licence. The reasons for Cruise’s sudden move remain unclear.