Man Dubbed Britain's Kindest Plumber Admits To Fabricating Stories To Gain Donations
NDTV
The investigation reveals repeated use of photos of a dead woman and filming a reluctant elderly customer, disregarding his privacy.
James Anderson, a plumber from Burnley known as "Britain's kindest plumber," is facing accusations of fabricating heartwarming stories to solicit donations for his charity, Depher (Disabled and Elderly, Plumbing and Heating Emergency Response), according to a BBC investigation.
The BBC alleges that Anderson has repeatedly used photos of the same dead woman in social media posts promoting Depher's work. Additionally, the investigation claims Anderson filmed and shared videos and images of a vulnerable customer in his nineties, publicly disclosing the man's sexuality despite his reported pleas against being filmed for social media. The unnamed customer reportedly told the BBC, "God no," when asked for consent.
Depher claims to use donations for various purposes, including free food deliveries, covering gas and electricity bills, offering pro bono plumbing services, and even assisting with funeral costs for past clients. Anderson's acts of charity gained significant public attention, attracting financial backing from celebrities like Hugh Grant and Lily Allen. He even secured an appearance on ITV's "This Morning" to promote his work.
