Britain's 'kindest plumber' has award revoked after being accused of faking heartwarming acts for cash

A bloke who was once dubbed 'Britain's kindest plumber' has been accused of faking acts of kindness as he raised millions of donations.

James Anderson, 56, has had his British Citizen Award revoked following claims that he feigned social media posts about helping the elderly and the vulnerable in their homes during the freezing winter months.

The Burnley-based tradesman launched his firm Depher - which stands for Disabled and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Response - in 2017 and offered free emergency repairs for those in need.

But he has now found himself in hot water after a bombshell investigation by the BBC claims that Anderson supposedly lied about many of the people he supposedly helped.

According to the publication, the businessman 'faked stories of helping people' while raking in millions of pounds in cash from donations from the public who were touched by his apparent acts of kindness.

James Anderson was dubbed Britain's 'kindest plumber' (PA)

Anderson has since been stripped of his British Citizen Award, which he was given in 2023 for his alleged good deeds, with a spokeswoman saying his actions did 'not align with our values'.

She added to the BBC: "We pride ourselves in recognising individuals across the UK who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on their communities and charities."

The BBC reported that there was evidence showing Anderson was recycling photos of the same people in a series of posts spanning across several years, while claiming it was a new person he had helped.

Other claims include that Anderson allegedly regularly uploaded video and images of a vulnerable man in his 90s while sharing information about his sexuality, despite the customer saying, 'God no', when he was asked to be filmed for social media posts.

The BBC also alleged that Anderson had reused an image of a woman named Joyce seven different times, while using different ages and locations to describe her - even after she had died in February 2020.

One post from 12 June 2022 said: "A lady, 84 years old rang @DepherUK & spoke to myself, she was upset and desperate. She lived 53 miles away in #Preston I drive as fast as i could, when in got there she had a noose ready to commit suicide. All she wanted was hot water! #costoflivingcrisis."

Her daughter, Andrea, claimed to the broadcaster that Anderson was 'using vulnerable people like my mother as a money-making machine' and that his claims were a 'complete lie'.

Anderson has since had his citizen's reward rescinded (ITV)

The plumber claimed he was using donations to help provide free food, pay bills, offer free plumbing work and also help with the costs of funerals for customers who had died, with stars like Hugh Grant even giving him money.

However, the BBC allege that he used the funds to buy a house - and Anderson also confessed he had splashed company cash on a new car.

After being confronted by the publication, the tradesman denied some of the allegations but also apologised and admitted that he had 'done it wrong'.

He said: "I know I’ve done it wrong. I apologise. But what can I do? I haven’t got a magic stick. I’m not Harry Potter."

Anderson alleged that he made the series of mistakes because of 'bullying, harassment and attacks' and that he was the victim of from trolls online.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, he wrote: "Mistakes were made and apologised for, training and procedures are in place to stop them happening again."

Anderson has pledged to return some of the donated money connecting to specific allegations that the BBC has raised.

“If Hugh (Grant) wants the money back, I’ll send it back to him, not a problem,” Mr Anderson told the broadcaster.

“I apologise, I really do apologise. And I hope you can find it in your heart to accept it.

“I’m really sorry and I will make amends.”

LADbible have contacted Depher for comment.