TV star horrified to discover scammers using late co-star’s name to con fans out of money-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Laura Hamilton can’t believe how scammers are using her late co-star’s name to make money (Picture: Linda Glendinning)

Laura Hamilton has expressed her disgust after discovering scammers have been using Jonnie Irwin’s name to con fans out of money.

The beloved A Place in the Sun presenter died on February 2 at the age of 51, having been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2022.

Irwin left behind a wife named Jessica, and three young songs, as well as a legion of fans who adored watching him on TV in shows such as Escape to the Country.

Co-star Laura presented property show A Place in the Sun alongside her late friend, and she’s now revealed the sickening lengths con artists will go to for money.

The 41-year-old completed the London Marathon earlier this year in aide of the WellChild charity.

The Channel 4 star ran the event in Irwin’s memory, telling The Sun: ‘I raised five and a half grand for them, but after I ran the marathon there were people saying, “Do you know there are people setting up scam pages saying, I’m still fundraising for the marathon”? and still trying to get donations.’

Jonnie Irwin died in February, two years after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)

He left behind a wife and three young sons (Picture: Instagram)

Laura added: ‘They weren’t legitimately for the charity and that just makes me feel sick that people were willing to do that when I was running.

‘I had an official Just Giving page and then there are scammers that are sucking people in saying, “Oh yeah, we’re still trying to fundraise” and that is so terrible.’

The presenter and mum-of-two has encountered problems online before.

Last year, she issued a plea after fake accounts were set up with her profile picture.

‘If you look at my Instagram page, it says this is my only page, it’s just madness that people seem to do it and it’s very frustrating,’ she shared at the time.

Laura, who joined APITS in 2012, posted a loving tribute to Irwin after he died.

Alongside a black and white picture of him, she wrote: ‘Without doubt one of the best… Funny, intelligent, kind hearted, one of a kind, Jonnie you will forever be missed. 🥲🥲🥲’

In the post, she added that the team was ‘heartbroken’ to lose a member of their A Place in the Sun family.

Laura ran the London Marathon in Irwin’s memory (Picture: Instagram)

Having worked together for 18 years, she wrote that they will ‘miss him terribly.’

In the wake of his death, Irwin’s colleagues are still getting to grips with life without him.

Jasmine Harman recently said that it ‘still feels raw’ to talk about losing Irwin after she gave a tearful interview on Loose Women.

Speaking to the panel, she said of her grief: ‘You never know what’s around the corner, and I think we can all take something from it.

‘We can all cherish every day and live with as much joy as possible, and that’s what he did.’

Taking to social media after her chat on the daytime show, Jasmine, who first appeared on screen with Irwin 20 years ago, thanked fans for their support.

His widow, Jess, keeps him alive by talking about him at home (Picture: Instagram)

‘Thanks to the team @loosewomen for having me today 💕 It’s emotional and it still feels raw talking about Jonnie. It was really great to meet everyone today though, and thank you for your support,’ she wrote.

‘To be honest I was already feeling a bit sensitive today having been reading the news about all the atrocities going on in the world at the moment. We should all support each other, no matter what we are going through. Sending lots of love.’

Meanwhile, Irwin’s widow has been having conversations with her little ones following their dad’s death.

Jess, whom he married in 2016, has said Irwin is still part of her daily chats with Rex, five, and twins Rafa and Cormac, three.

‘Jonnie is present in so many of our chats. Rex will say, “Would Daddy like to watch this?” or, “Was this Daddy’s favourite chocolate?” He wants to include him, whereas with the twins, it’s more, “I want Daddy to come back,” and I say, “Yes, I do, too”,’ she told Hello!

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