Perhaps the press lied? Does anyone live without central heating in this day and age?

I don't think so. You don't seem to have got what we're talking about here! The word "hypocrisy" springs immediately to my mind, and to many others if he's saying both that he earned £78,000 last year and that he can now (only now!) afford to buy his mother central heating. The old bullsh*t detector is flashing and beeping fit to burst here!

You see, nobody's saying that he can't spend his money how he wants, but why pretend to be something that he isn't. Sure, he can do that too if likes, no law against it, but if people criticise it that's not sour grapes, it's calles having morals, integrity or principals.

Not very fashionable now, unfortunately.

Yes. I have a friend who has only a big log fire for heating.

I wasn't doing a Marie Antoinette, "let them eat cake." I simply don't know anyone without central heating.

My neighbour does...

Maybe he had offer to buy her CH in the past and she turned it down because he bought her the house and now he is earning more money after winning TA she has agreed to it?

How many people here would actually let their child buy them new CH? I wouldn't, I would want them to spend their wages on themselves.

My parents don't have central heating and neither do my grandparents.

Oh dear! No intention of being insensitive.

Hope I didn't sound insensitive to anyone else's situation.

You might arguably have a point, but if we take your advice we won't have anything much to talk about

About 3 grand in total, I would hazard a guess. A fortnight's salary for me - a poor old age pensioner.

yes, my very dear married friends who live in Bispham (Blackpool). They've been married over forty years and live in the same house since marrying but still haven't got CH and could not afford to run it, anyway - much rather have many holidays throughout the year.
It depends on one's priorities. Mine, like many, is keeping myself warm, as I'm a cold mortal.

Since when should we feel 'sorry' for someone who apparently is earning 78k a year. I couldn't dream of earning that sort of money (and I live in London too)

Yes London is expensive, but on that sort of salary he should be able to afford to get central heating for his mother even on such a 'low income'.

I smell a rat (or two)

Er... if you don't want lots of media attention, then don't go on The Apprentice?

You don't know, and have never met, all the people posting on these threads and yet you call them "idiotic tw...ts" and tell them to get a life.

You might have had a point there if you yourself hadn't started expressing dislike towards people you have never known or met!

I have absolutly no feelings towards your good self or the other idiotic ***** who so post. Doesn't stop them being idiotic ***** though!!

Didn't he also work for the recruitment arm of capita?

I serioulsy cannot believe he was on £78k - that soooooo much!

Lee doesn't live in London.

Where Lee lives, £500k will get you a 3 or 4 bedroom detached house.

Lee bought his house 4 years ago for £350k.