Ex-TOWIE star Lewis Bloor claims trolls are sending him death threats after fraud trial collapse

Lewis Bloor, who starred in popular reality TV show The Only Way is Essex, had faced a fraud trial. Credit: PA Archive/PA Images

Former The Only Way Is Essex star Lewis Bloor claims online trolls have sent him death threats after he was cleared of an alleged £3 million diamond scam.

Bloor, 31, who joined the ITV2 reality programme for three years from 2013, was accused of being part of a cold-calling investment fraud scheme before his television career took off.

Around 200 victims, many of whom were elderly, were allegedly conned out of more than £3 million after being convinced to buy coloured diamonds at a 600% mark-up.

The former TOWIE cast-member denied conspiracy to defraud between May 7, 2013 and July 1, 2014.

Bloor, of Buckhurst Hill, Essex, was acquitted on Friday after his trial collapsed due to prosecution failings over the disclosure of evidence.

Lewis Bloor appearing at Southwark Crown Court before the trial's collapse.

The fitness and mentality coach was not in Southwark Crown Court when the not guilty verdict was given by a jury at the direction of Judge Adam Hiddleston.

Bloor said in an interview following the trial's collapse: “The hardest thing about this case has been the onslaught of death threats, calls for me to commit suicide and abuse to my family.

“We knew I was not guilty, so the trial was just a formality in my eyes.

“What we now want to happen is that the trolls online take a look at themselves and stop abusing strangers for a quick kick and light laughter with friends. It’s appalling.

“But I am just happy my team at Blackfords (solicitors) delivered the truth and I can now get back to my work as an online coach and get back to helping my clients.”

Bloor said his work to “help people focus on themselves, look after their body and mind and in turn grow through hard times to become something bigger, stronger and better” had helped him cope with the trial.

He added: “I have lived by my coaching principles during this case. Looking after my mind and body first.”

Bloor stood trial alongside Joseph Jordan, 29, from Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, George Walters, 29, from Beckenham, in Kent, Max Potter, 25, of Enfield, Middlesex, Nathan Wilson, 28, of Brentwood, Essex, and Simon Akbari, 27, from Loughton, Essex.

They all denied the charge and were also acquitted.