James Bryce
IT is a case that could be termed as tragic as some of the things he sings about.
But the Costa del Sol’s leading tenor Stephen Lloyd-Morgan and his partner Nick Holland have become embroiled in a bitter row with some petsitters, who walked out half way through a job.
Lawyers have now been consulted on both sides after Holland accused British couple James and Edyta Whelton of effectively leaving their pets ‘to die’.
It happened after the Wheltons – who took the job while travelling Europe – abandoned the assignment after two days due to what they described as the unbearable ‘dirt and stench’ of the property.
Insisting the house in Benahavis was ‘unhygenic’ they claimed they could not stay for the full six days and emailed the showbiz couple to find a replacement.
Little could they have expected what was to happen next.
So incensed was he by the departure that Holland – who manages Lloyd-Morgan’s career – has now threatened to sue the couple for breach of contract.
On a business trip to the UK to promote the singer’s career at the time, he was furious to be given only 24 hours notice to find a replacement.
In an email seen by the Olive Press, Holland accused the Wheltons of handling the situation in a ‘totally unprofessional manner’.
“We are totally disgusted at your behaviour, attitude and actions in relation to pet-sitting for us,” it read.
“Your behaviour truly beggars belief and is totally and utterly reprehensible.”
But, after taking legal advice, the Wheltons hit back by urging Trusted House Sitters – the website through which the arrangement was made – to launch its own investigation.
“We gave Nick 24 hours notice to find cover for us and then informed the replacement of the feeding and walking details,” Edyta told the Olive Press.
“We were not looking for any excuses, we just told him the reason we were leaving was the lack of hygiene,” she added.
The incident is not the first time Holland, 45, and his partner – who has been included in a list of Marbella’s most important people – have become embroiled in controversy in their village.
The Olive Press reported how a neighbour made an official complaint about one of their cats Oscar last year.
In one of the most bizarre cases ever reported, the black and white Persian was summoned to court after being accused of causing criminal damage.
The neighbours insisted he had managed to climb through a window of their house and somehow smashed a 1000 euro chandelier. Inevitably, the case was dropped before it reached court.
Last night the Olive Press was unable to speak to either Nick Holland or Lloyd-Morgan who has recorded a number of albums for charity.
Dubbed the ‘Voice of the Valleys’ according to his official website the popular tenor is in big demand throughout Europe.
An email from Holland initially insisted he was “not aware of what you are talking about”, but he later insisted the dispute was over and he did not wish to comment further.
