Reality TV star Lonan O’Herlihy, known to fans as the “Posh PT,” has launched a legal battle against the widow of his mother’s former partner, seeking £5 million from the late Hugh Taylor’s £38 million estate.
The case centers on claims that O’Herlihy was treated like a son by Taylor and is entitled to a share of the multimillion-pound fortune.
A Father Figure Lost
Hugh Taylor, a property dealer and avid collector of classic cars and planes, passed away in 2019 leaving the bulk of his estate to his wife, Jennifer Taylor, under a 2015 will.
O’Herlihy grew up in Taylor’s Tudor manor, attended private school and university thanks to Taylor’s support, and received lavish gifts including a £40,000 Audi and a £5,000 watch.
The reality star has maintained that Taylor was a father figure, describing their bond as “loving and close.”
The Claim for Millions
O’Herlihy, 36, claims that his lifestyle, expectations, and career in real estate were shaped by Taylor’s guidance and financial backing.
He argues that after Taylor’s marriage to Jennifer in 2010, he was gradually excluded from the family and even barred from attending Taylor’s funeral.
His lawyers assert that O’Herlihy now faces “financial precarity” and needs support to sustain the lifestyle he became accustomed to.
Lavish Gifts and Promises
Court documents detail the generosity Taylor extended: a monthly allowance until 2012, luxury cars for milestone birthdays, and guidance on business ventures.
O’Herlihy’s barrister emphasized that Taylor promised him involvement in his property empire, giving him reason to expect continued financial support into adulthood.
Widow’s Lawyers Push Back
Jennifer Taylor’s legal team has described the claim as a “wish list of greed,” highlighting O’Herlihy’s request for specific assets, including a £3 million South Kensington property, a vintage Mercedes, a luxury watch, a painting, and funds for an investment property.
Lawyers argued that the claim far exceeds what would be considered reasonable provision for daily living and maintenance.
Financial Independence and Opportunity
The defense points out that O’Herlihy is a healthy, university-educated adult earning around £70,000 per year, with no dependents and promising career prospects.
They stress that any parental-like relationship ended more than 17 years before Taylor’s death and that Taylor explicitly disavowed obligations to support O’Herlihy financially in a 2012 email.
Challenging the Deadline
Part of O’Herlihy’s case involves seeking permission to bring the claim outside the usual six-month deadline, arguing that he lacked knowledge or means to file sooner.
Jennifer Taylor’s lawyers have pushed back, calling the application “flimsy” and insisting the estate has already been distributed.
Celebrity Lifestyle Under Scrutiny
O’Herlihy’s celebrity status and career as a personal trainer to high-profile clients, including Ed Westwick from Gossip Girl, have added public intrigue to the case.
Despite his fame, the court will weigh whether his expectations of inheritance are reasonable given his financial independence and the terms of Taylor’s will.
A Legal Battle Continues
The dispute highlights the tension between familial bonds and legal entitlement, particularly when step-family dynamics and high-value estates are involved.
The hearing is ongoing, and the outcome could set a precedent for claims by those who were treated like family but not named in a will.
Public Debate Rages
Supporters argue that O’Herlihy deserves recognition for the role Taylor played in his upbringing, while critics dismiss the claim as opportunistic.
The case raises wider questions about responsibility, loyalty, and what constitutes fair provision for adults who grew up in a wealthy benefactor’s household.
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