THE controversial heir to Blenheim Palace could be set to follow in his father’s footsteps after all.

Charles James Spencer-Churchill, more commonly known as Jamie Blandford, hit headlines for his battle with drug addiction and his excessive lifestyle.

This led to his father, the 11th Duke of Marlborough, attempting to disown him in 1994.

A deal which was reached at the time meant Lord Blandford would, on his father’s death, inherit the title and the right to live in Blenheim Palace but the running of the estate would pass to a group of trustees.

Now the two are reconciled and Lord Blandford is attempting to prove to his 86-year-old father he will be capable of running the 11,500 acre estate which the current Duke has dedicated his life to maintaining.

That’s according to a Channel Four documentary called The Aristocrats which will air on Thursday at 9pm.

Blenheim Palace receives 500,000 visitors each year.

It was the current duke who made the decision to open it up to the public to help pay for the palace.