Made in Chelsea star Lonan O'Herlihy has been ordered to pay over £2 million in legal costs after losing a legal battle to claim a share of his late stepfather's £38 million fortune. The 36-year-old personal trainer, known as the 'Posh PT' on the reality show, was left out of Hugh Taylor's will, which left the entire estate to Taylor's wife, Jennifer Taylor.
O'Herlihy claimed he was left homeless after being excluded from the inheritance, which included a Second World War era Hawker Hurricane aircraft, classic cars and properties. He sought £5 million from the estate, arguing that Taylor, who had a relationship with O'Herlihy's mother from 1995 to 2003, was a father figure and had a parental responsibility towards him.
However, Deputy Master William Henderson threw out the case, ruling that O'Herlihy was more than four years too late in bringing the claim and had 'no real prospect of success'. The judge ordered him to pay £370,000 upfront, with the final costs expected to exceed £2 million, including £1.5 million for Jennifer Taylor's legal fees, £163,000 for the estate administrator, and £355,000 for O'Herlihy's own lawyers.
During the hearing, O'Herlihy was accused of making a 'wish list of greed', demanding a £3 million home in South Kensington, a Patek Philippe watch, and a 1969-70 Mercedes 280SL Pagoda. His barrister argued that Taylor had supported him financially until his early twenties and gave him reason to expect continued support in a real estate career.
O'Herlihy, who earns around £90,000 a year as a personal trainer, said after the ruling: 'Bringing this case was never about seeking an unjust financial benefit. What I hoped for was simply to retain a small part of what Hugh had always indicated would be set aside for me.' He added that he hopes to one day find out where Taylor is buried to pay his respects.
