A television psychic fired her husband John Morgan and son-in-law Daren Wiltshear from their respective posts in her management team after a video surfaced showing both of them threatening and hurling homophobic abuses at a skeptic, who was merely handing out leaflets outside her show at a London theatre. The video was filmed by Mark Tilbrook, who wanted Sally Morgan’s audiences to ponder over whether a psychic can really talk to the dead.
In the video, Morgan’s husband is seen approaching 30-year-old Tilbrook, threatening to act violently if he did not leave immediately.
“I'm gonna knock you out sooner or later... so f*** off before I do you,” he is heard saying.
On October 14, 63-year-old Morgan, who describes herself as Britain’s most beloved psychic and who has given readings to celebrated personalities such as the late Princess Diana, announced on her website that she had sacked both her husband and son-in-law after seeing the video.
“Mr Morgan and Mr Wiltshear will have nothing more to do with my business. … Right now, I honestly have no idea what is going to happen to my marriage,” read her announcement.
The video was released strategically to coincide with October being celebrated as Psychic Awareness Month. It was filmed earlier this year outside north London’s Shaw Theatre, where Morgan was organizing one of her road shows. Tilbrook, whose pamphlets were titled ‘Look After Yourself,’ had been circulating his material outside the psychic’s shows for quite a while, during which her husband started to threaten and hurl abuses. Reportedly, Tillbrook was carrying a camera the day he filmed the duo’s behavior in anticipation that he would be mistreated again, if spotted by Morgan and Wiltshear.
In the video, Morgan is seen approaching Tillbrook, telling him legal action is being taken against him. When the skeptic refuses to leave, saying he is doing nothing impermissible, Morgan starts to abuse and threaten Tilbrook.
“I'm gonna knock you out one day because you are a nuisance. …” he says.
“One day you're gonna be lifted and you'll disappear somewhere. … You're a prat and I'm losing my temper, because I'm gonna knock you out sooner or later. … So f*** off before I do you. … I'm gonna hit you in a minute. I'm gonna knock you out,” says Morgan, after which Wiltshear steps in, adding, “I've seen him do it and you really don't want him to do it.” Morgan continues, “You’re a poof as well - we know all about your life. … You know, you look pale. Are you on drugs or has someone sh****** you too much? One of your boyfriends been ** **** ****?”
Tilbrook uploaded the footage on YouTube recently, where it has received more than 120,000 views. The date stamp on the video reads 2012, which Tilbrook says is the case because he used a “cheap camera.”
Even though the psychic’s initial reaction was a mere apology for the remarks recorded, she went on to release a statement soon after, saying, “I have come from a family background that has always been very accepting, many of my friends are gay and I have always felt happy that I am often referred to as a gay icon through my work. … I am utterly ashamed and devastated at the behaviour of my husband John and son-in-law Daren, and neither of them will have anything to do with my work, my business, and right now I honestly have no idea what is going to happen to my marriage.”
Before releasing this statement however, she tried to justify her husband’s behavior as an obvious reaction to Tillbrook’s “persistent hounding,” adding her husband was very concerned about her safety.
Tillbrook explained that his pamphlets were not intended to target Morgan only. He just wanted those attending psychic shows to have access to information that they may not have access to otherwise. He described Morgan’s conduct as “inexcusable.”
“From the very first time I was handing out leaflets on the street, John Morgan harassed and threatened me - telling me to "F*** off before I floor you. … Not once did I ever approach him, and I would have preferred it if he had just left me alone,” said Tilbrook.
Photo Credits: Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre
