THIS Morning viewers have slammed Lynda Bellingham's widower Michael Pattemore after he made an appearance on Monday's show to try and defend himself over his feud with her sons.
The property owner has been making headlines ever since the beloved actress' death saw him locked in a bitter battle over the Loose Women star’s estate.
Lynda's sons Michael and Robbie have previously claimed they had only seen £750 of their mother’s huge fortune, which reportedly stood at £10 million.
The sons claimed Pattemore had told them she had written a will leaving everything to him and he only gave them a tiny cash handout.
But Michael told This Morning hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford that the will he made with Lynda was completely fair.
He explained: "We came into the pot 50/50. People think that she had this large sum but I have always had property and I've got a good business."
He continued: "People forget that Lynda did have a really dry spell at work for a while before she got the Loose Women gig and then Calendar Girls."
"She would be rolling in her grave [at the thought of the rift]. I think there's a puppeteer pulling their strings. They thought there was a huge pot of gold at the end of the rainbow but there wasn't."
He added:"I've given them a flat. I supplied them with a roof over their head and now they want it sold. She specifically wanted that I leave them the first million to them and then divide the rest up between our four children - my two kids and hers."
Michael also revealed that the former Loose Women panellist was in £50,000 in debt when she died but they had money tied up in properties worth millions.
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He explained: "I've had 18 months of hell ... she was £50,000 in debt. That's a fact. Across bank accounts and credit cards. Even though she was in debt, we had properties worth several million pounds. Those properties are all in mortgage and they bring an income in now.
"What the boys never told the nation was that in my will, they got left the first one million pounds plus a quarter share of the remainder of the properties. They could've walked away with a couple million pounds."
Michael went on to explain that the couple never had a pension and refuted the claims he had been wasting away Lynda's money.
He insisted: "The way the will has been done by the lawyers means any money I was spending was my own money. And then I can do anything I want to do with the properties."
The widower claimed that he would never be able to reconcile with the boys after his "18 months of grief" and claimed the boys had gone about things in a "stupid" way.
He also insisted that his appearance on the morning show would be the last time he spoke about the issues publicly.
However, many fans weren't sure if they believed Michael's claims and flocked to Twitter to share their views: "He was talking out of his a**e I don't believe him, I bet his kids money was sorted, its easy for him to push her boys away! #ThisMorning"
Another added: "Don't believe a word he says! Something about him🤔 @thismorning #ThisMorning
One wrote: "Feel awful for Lynda Bellinghams sons. I understand this situation far too well :( #thismorning."
One viewer wrote: "#ThisMorning it's all "me me me" with this chap. Let her boys have what they are owed and stop pissing her money away"
Another mused: "Money really is the route of all evil. I lost my home to a similar situation. People lose all morals at the sight of a few quid #ThisMorning."
One wrote: "Don't like or believe one thing this guy is saying ...Lynda can't back any of this up...very disrespectful to her #thismorning."
While another stated: "@thismorning #ThisMorning What is he on about SHE was in 50,000 in debt you were married YOU were both in debt.😡 Just give them their money😡"
Some viewers defended Michael as one wrote: "I actually feel sorry for Lynda Bellinghams widower.. surely the children shouldn't care about the money, their mum has died!! #ThisMorning."
Another added: "@this morning #ThisMorning well he seems genuine Lynda would be fuming ! are the boys liars?!!"
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