Made In Chelsea personality Lonan O'Herlihy has launched a multi-million-pound High Court claim against the widow of the man he considered a father, after being omitted from a multi-million-pound will.
The Core of the Inheritance Dispute
The 36-year-old former reality TV star, known as the 'Posh PT' on the E4 show, is suing Jennifer Taylor, the widow of property dealer Hugh Taylor. Hugh Taylor passed away in 2019, leaving behind an estate valued at approximately £38 million. This fortune included a World War II Hawker Hurricane aircraft, classic cars, and high-end properties, the bulk of which was left to his wife.
O'Herlihy's connection stems from his mother's relationship with Hugh Taylor. The pair were in a 'committed relationship' from 1995 until 2003, during which time, O'Herlihy claims, Taylor acted as a father figure. "Hugh was a father to me, and I was a son to him," O'Herlihy told the court.
Promises of an Empire and Alleged Exclusion
The claimant's legal team argued that Taylor had 'parental responsibility' for him and supported him financially into his early twenties. Crucially, they allege Taylor encouraged O'Herlihy to build a career in real estate, promising he would eventually inherit and manage parts of the business empire.
"He gave Lonan every reason to expect continued support in a career in real estate," his barrister stated. "Lonan made important life choices, including his university studies, in reliance upon those assurances." The claim details that O'Herlihy was later 'cut out' of Taylor's life and was even prevented from attending the funeral by Ms Taylor.
The Defence: 'A Wish List of Greed'
Jennifer Taylor's defence, led by barrister Richard Wilson KC, has robustly rejected the claim as 'opportunistic' and 'truly fanciful'. They argue the £5 million demand—which includes requests for properties, a classic car, a luxury watch, and a painting—is far beyond reasonable provision for maintenance.
"This is not a claim for reasonable provision for his maintenance," Wilson said. "It is his wish list of greed... His approach seems to be: this is a large estate, let's give Mr O'Herlihy a big chunk of it."
The defence further highlighted that O'Herlihy is a 36-year-old university graduate in good health, earning around £70,000 a year net with no dependants. They stressed that any 'child of the family' relationship ended in 2002, 17 years before Taylor's death, and that the claim was brought out of time after the estate had been distributed.
The hearing continues.
