Jamie Vardy blocks postie lookalike on social media as England striker looks to protect his image
Leicester star and wife Becky distance themselves from forward’s doppelganger, threatening him with legal action
ENGLAND star Jamie Vardy has blocked his lookalike from contacting him on social media.
And the striker’s agent John Morris has also sent a text warning Lee Chapman, 29, of legal action if he damages Vardy’s image or lucrative endorsement deals.
Postman Lee, who was invited on to the team bus after Vardy’s Leicester won the Premier League, has taken a six-month career break from Royal Mail to work as the star’s double.
The young dad has even considered giving up his job as the Vardy doppelganger after the spat.
Just last month Vardy, who earns £45,000 a week, posed happily for photos with the £16,000-A-YEAR postie who looks like the player’s identical twin.
But now Vardy, who got married last week, and his new bride Becky have both blocked the lookalike from going on their Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Die-hard Foxes fan Lee has been in demand for appearances on TV and at events since the Leicester won the league on May 2.
Last week he was wowing fans in bars and clubs in Majorca and producers of Britain’s Got More Talent even approached him to appear on the show’s celebrity panel.
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Vardy’s agent, John Morris, recently sent a text to Lee’s management warning he would take legal action if the player’s double damaged the real Jamie’s image or endorsement deals.
The text said: “If you do anything that affects Jamie’s image directly and his endorsement deals we will take legal action . . . You can understand that I’m sure.”
Lookalike Lee’s agent James Austin said: “Lee is genuinely upset.
“He’s a true Leicester fan and Jamie is his idol. He would never do anything to bring his hero, Vardy, into disrepute.
“He doesn’t know what he has done to upset them. It’s so bad he was thinking of simply giving up.”
Lee, father of three-year-old son James, has been given a six-month career break by bosses at the Royal Mail so he can work full-time as a Jamie Vardy double.
Last night Vardy’s agent, John Morris of Key Sports Management, said: “I wish Lee all the best. I’ve met him and he comes across as a really nice guy.
“If anything happens to anybody whether you are a sports person or a movie star you have to be protected.
“I don’t know anything about Lee being blocked on Twitter.”