Towie star in court over £3m diamond scam

A reality TV star was part of a £3 million diamond scam before launching his TV career, a court heard. More than 200 victims, many of whom were elderly, were allegedly conned into buying the small, coloured stones as an investment after being “told lies” during cold calls.

Lewis Bloor, 31, who joined the ITV2 reality show The Only Way is Essex in 2013, denies conspiracy to defraud between May 7 2013 and July 1 2014 at Southwark Crown Court. Prosecutor David Durose QC said: “Every single one of them has lost their money.” The trial continues.