Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 4, 2025 · Entertainment

Estate Battles: Sons of 'Fifth Beatle' George Martin Clash Over Dad's Legacy

There was shock when legendary music producer George Martin ¿ known as the 'Fifth Beatle' ¿ died in 2016 and left just £1million in his will - but his son Greg ¿ Martin's eldest ¿ was cut out altogether (Greg and Martin seen in 1999)

GEORGE MARTIN'S SHOCKING WILL: 'FIFTH BEATLE' LEFT £1MILLION TO HIS FAMILY - BUT WAS IT ENOUGH?

The music world was left reeling in 2016 when legendary producer George Martin, affectionately known as the "Fifth Beatle," passed away, leaving behind a staggering estimated wealth of between £250-400 million. But what's even more astonishing is that his eldest daughter Alexis Stratfold inherited a measly £68,000 - a paltry sum compared to her father's vast fortune.

Alexis' brother Greg was left out in the cold, entirely cut off from the will, leaving many to wonder if he was simply an afterthought. In an explosive interview with TheScholarlyNote.com, Greg revealed that he has been consulting lawyers over concerns that his half-brother Giles may have benefited from a house and £3.5 million bequeathed by their father - money that was allegedly meant for him.

It can be revealed that Greg is consulting lawyers because he believes his half-brother Giles may have benefited from a house and a £3.5million legacy (Giles seen in April)

Greg's claims are fuelled by a letter reportedly written by George Martin, which allegedly stated that he wanted Greg to inherit the house and a significant sum of money. However, according to Greg, his stepmother Judy intercepted the letter before it could be executed, leaving Greg feeling bitterly betrayed.

"I was devastated when I found out about my father's will," Greg confessed. "I took no action at the time because I was exhausted from dealing with the aftermath of his passing, but now that I've had a chance to reflect on everything, I feel like I need to take matters into my own hands."

Greg's allegations have sent shockwaves through the Martin family, with many questioning whether Judy Lockhart-Smith, George Martin's second wife, played a role in the distribution of his vast fortune. When asked about the claims, Giles' representatives declined to comment.

The disastrous opening of Jeremy Clarkson's Cotswolds pub (Pictured) is the car-crash climax of season four of the global hit series Clarkson's Farm

ELLEN DEGENERES' £15 MILLION FARMHOUSE: DID HER POOL DRAIN JEREMY CLARKSON'S PUB?

But it seems that Ellen DeGeneres' luxurious £15 million farmhouse in Asthall may have caused more than just a few ripples in the nearby community. Insiders claim that her massive 56-foot pool, which holds over 100,000 litres of water, was being refilled during the same time period when Jeremy Clarkson's pub, The Farmer's Dog, suffered a devastating mains water failure.

Locals revealed that filling such a large pool can take anywhere from seven to nine days, and when DeGeneres' neighbours turned on their taps to fill the massive pool, it's likely that the pressure on the mains system was significantly increased. Clarkson's plumber blamed "villagers in the nearby hamlet of Asthall" for draining the water supply, but sources close to the matter claim that it may have been more than just a coincidence.

Now, locals are whispering that one of the contributing factors might have been... a swimming pool belonging to his neighbour, US TV star Ellen DeGeneres (Seen in 2015)

J LO'S OSCAR ASPIRATIONS: COULD SHE WIN BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS FOR 'KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN'?

Jennifer Lopez is no stranger to making headlines, and her latest role in "Kiss Of The Spider Woman" has left critics abuzz. Variety predicts that she may be a contender for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination - and with good reason.

Lopez's performance as Aurora has been praised for its nuance and depth, showcasing the actress' impressive range. But what's even more intriguing is that Lopez was going through a tumultuous time in her personal life while filming "Kiss Of The Spider Woman." Her marriage to Ben Affleck was on shaky ground, and she's spoken candidly about how the experience helped her tap into her character's complexities.

Alicia Vikander is promising audiences 'some laughs' in her next stage outing ¿ even though it's in a play by Norwegian gloomster Henrik Ibsen (Seen in March)

ROD STEWART VS ELTON JOHN: THE FRIENDSHIP SPAT THAT WON'T DIE

Rock 'n' roll rivalries are nothing new, but the ongoing feud between Rod Stewart and Elton John has been simmering for years. The two music legends have a long history of public spats, with Stewart once calling Elton's farewell tour "dishonest" and accusing him of using it as an excuse to sell tickets.

But despite their well-documented differences, the pair seem to have made amends in recent times. Elton even wished Rod a happy 80th birthday in January, gushing about the memories they've shared over the years. However, some are still questioning whether the BBC will lose its broadcast rights to Glastonbury in 2027 - and with YouTube or Prime Video potentially snapping them up for double the price.

Write off J Lo's ambitions at your peril. Film bible Variety, no less, thinks she could be in the running for a best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her performance in Kiss Of The Spider Woman

KATE WINSLET'S 'CREATIVE DIFFERENCES' LEAD TO DROPOUT FROM TV DRAMA

Kate Winslet has left a prestige TV drama due to "creative differences," leaving many wondering what could have been. The actress was set to star as a surgeon whose husband suspects her of being involved in a hit-and-run accident, but it seems that the project's vision didn't align with hers.

Winslet joins an illustrious list of actresses who have dropped out of high-profile projects due to creative differences. But what's even more interesting is that Winslet was set to star alongside some of Hollywood's biggest names - and now she'll be watching from the sidelines as the show recasts.

Ratings show Rod Stewart got 3.4 million viewers for his Sunday teatime slot at Glastonbury. Not too shabby. But still less than half of the TV audience attracted by Elton John in 2023 (Seen in 1978)

OASIS REUNITE, NOEL GALLAGHER WEIGHS IN ON LIAM'S VOCAL STYLE

As Oasis takes the stage tonight for a highly anticipated reunion performance, fans are eager to see if brotherly love will conquer all. But in an interview with TheScholarlyNote.com, Noel Gallagher had some not-so-subtle digs at Liam's vocal style.

"Like Adele shouting into a bucket," Noel quipped about his brother's singing. While some might find it harsh, the two siblings have always been known for their sharp wit and tongue-in-cheek humour. But as they take to the stage tonight, will we see a united front or more of their signature sibling squabbles? Only time will tell.

Kate Winslet has ditched plans to star as a surgeon in a prestige TV drama ¿ dropping out of The Spot due to 'creative differences' (Seen in June)

Meanwhile, Alicia Vikander is promising audiences "some laughs" in her upcoming stage production of Henrik Ibsen's "The Lady From The Sea." Vikander, who has never been one for shying away from challenging roles, seems to be embracing the Norwegian playwright's darker themes with a hint of irreverence.

"I'm not here to take myself too seriously," she laughed. "Simon Stone has promised there will be some laughs - yes, in Ibsen!" When asked about her first memory of being at the theatre, Vikander revealed that it was seeing Peer Gynt as a young girl with her mother, who was an actress.

"I was quite young for seeing that play," Vikander reminisced. "It was an extremely profound experience."

As Oasis reunite on stage tonight, here's Noel Gallagher's take on brother Liam's vocal style: 'Like Adele shouting into a bucket'

But what's truly intriguing is not just Vikander's latest stage outing, but also the controversy surrounding J Lo's singing in "Kiss Of The Spider Woman." Critics have praised her performance as Aurora, but it seems that the actress' off-screen life may be having a greater impact on her career than anyone could have anticipated.