A bitter inheritance battle has emerged within a family after a television psychic poet known as “The Cockney Bard” launched a legal challenge against the will of his late father, arguing that the document was created when the elderly man was no longer mentally capable of making such decisions.
The dispute centers on the estate of Terrance Pammen, who died in May 2022 at the age of 83.
His assets, valued at more than £451,000 and largely tied to his Stratford home, were left almost entirely to his daughter, Tracy Pammen, and granddaughter, Paige Pammen.
Four of his other children, including son Gary Pammen, received little more than a handful of personal belongings.
Psychic Poet Claims Father Was Confused When Will Was Prepared
Gary Pammen, 65, who has built a public profile through appearances on television and his work as a poet claiming inspiration from spiritual forces, is asking the court to invalidate the will.
According to his case, his father lacked the mental capacity required to make such an important legal document when the will was prepared around a decade before his death.
He argues that Terrance was experiencing progressive cognitive decline and confusion, particularly concerning family relationships and the true value of his estate.
Gary maintains that there was no obvious reason why he and three of his siblings—Mark, Jacqueline, and Gemma—were effectively excluded from the inheritance.
While those siblings are not involved in the legal proceedings, their exclusion forms part of the wider controversy surrounding the estate.
Outside court, Gary said he had remained in regular contact with his father, speaking with him daily before his death, and questioned why such a dramatic decision would have been made.
Allegations of Missing Money Add to Family Tensions
The legal battle has also exposed deeper family tensions.
Gary alleges that substantial sums disappeared from his father’s bank accounts during the later years of Terrance’s life.
He claims Tracy improperly accessed those funds, accusations that have been firmly rejected by both Tracy and her legal team.
The dispute also touches on the treatment of other family members.
Gary has highlighted the fact that one of Terrance’s grandsons, who has Down’s Syndrome and was reportedly close to his grandfather, received no provision under the will.
During proceedings, the court heard that Gary believes money was removed from his father’s accounts, creating what he describes as a significant reduction in the estate’s available funds.
Daughter Insists Father Remained Mentally Sharp
Tracy Pammen has strongly defended both the will and her father’s state of mind when it was created.
Her legal representatives argued that Terrance remained fully capable of managing his affairs at the time.
They pointed out that he was still employed as a trolley assistant at Morrisons when the will was drafted and continued working there for several years afterward.
According to the defense, Terrance independently initiated the process of creating the will and did so without pressure or involvement from any family member.
Lawyers told the court that expert psychiatric evidence supported the conclusion that he was mentally competent when making his decisions.
Although Terrance was later diagnosed with dementia in 2020, the defense argued that there were no significant signs of memory problems until several years after the will had been prepared.
Lawyers Say Estate Plan Reflected Deliberate Decisions
Tracy’s barrister told the court that the will was the result of careful and independent planning by Terrance.
The defense argued that he was able to manage his finances, understand the extent of his assets, and identify potential beneficiaries.
According to court submissions, he could accurately recall details about his property, bank account, children, and grandchildren at the time the will was drafted.
Lawyers further contended that Gary had not produced evidence showing why Terrance was legally obliged to distribute his estate differently or provide greater financial support to the children who were excluded.
The court also heard that Terrance lived independently for most of his later years, handled his own finances, prepared his own meals, and remained employed until 2019.
Granddaughter Describes Independent Lifestyle
Taking the witness stand, Tracy rejected claims that her father suffered from confusion before the final stages of his life.
She testified that she visited him regularly, often spending several hours each day with him, helping with shopping trips and social outings.
According to her evidence, Terrance remained self-sufficient until suffering a stroke in early 2022.
Tracy also denied any wrongdoing regarding his finances, insisting that her use of his bank card was limited to purchasing everyday necessities on his behalf, such as toiletries and other essentials.
Her daughter, Paige, echoed that account, describing her grandfather as an independent man who enjoyed horse racing, classic films, and managing his own daily routine.
She told the court that Terrance continued caring for himself almost entirely on his own until shortly before his death.
Family Loyalty at the Heart of the Inheritance Decision
When questioned about why Terrance would choose to leave the bulk of his estate to only her and her mother, Paige suggested that the decision reflected the care they provided.
She testified that her grandfather knew he could rely on them and believed they would continue supporting him when he needed assistance.
According to Paige, that trust played a significant role in his decision regarding the distribution of his estate.
The inheritance dispute now awaits a final decision, with the judge reserving judgment after hearing evidence from both sides.
A ruling will be delivered at a later date, determining whether Terrance Pammen’s will stands or whether the challenge brought by his son succeeds.
