If I was to do it over again, I would go down the following route:
PPL - ATPL theory while hour build to mins. and night qual. concurrently - IMC - *PAUSE*
At this point really evaluate motives, abilities. If truly happy with IMC, then:
MEIR - CPL.
All hour building would be done in the UK - there are cheap options here. Every hour building operation would involve a Navex followed by circuit work, minimum of two hours per flight. Get the flight school to suggest useful routes which challenge abilities. Fly alone or with unqualified person - then you can, with all conscience, sign off as PIC. From bitter experience, I now know there is no such thing as a 'safety pilot' (unless practice IMC) despite what gits in the US say to get you hiring their aircraft.
When all done, MCC with a company that has a sim. signed off by the UK CAA for IR revalidation and immediately revalidate MEIR within the time constraints.