The controversial Bruce brothers, founders of Purplebricks, are to return to the agency.

Sky News says Michael Bruce and his brother Kenny are rejoining Purplebricks in a deal struck with the online agency’s current owner, the Carphone Warehouse billionaire Sir Charles Dunstone.

They are to take a significant minority stake in Purplebricks.

Michael Bruce will become chief executive of the business, with Kenny Bruce sharing responsibility for returning it to sustainable long-term growth.

In a statement issued to Sky News, Michael Bruce says: “My brother and I are delighted to return home to the business we founded and are excited to work with Sir Charles Dunstone and the Purplebricks team to drive success and build market share in the UK housing market. 

“We will work tirelessly to deliver an exceptional service for every homeowner whilst leading the business through its next phase of growth.”

Purplebricks launched in 2014 and floated on the London stock market in 2015.

However, the agency was mired in controversy and in 2019, Michael Bruce quit the company he founded.

By 2023 – with Purplebricks a shadow of its former self – it was sold for £1 to another online firm, Strike.

Since then, Strike’s operations have been rebranded under the Purplebricks name.

During their period away from Purplebricks, the Bruces established another online property venture – Boomin, which branded itself as a long-term challenger to Rightmove.

However, this too collapsed, in 2022.