Television presenter Kate Lawler has found herself in a heated dispute with her neighbour after her gardener painted the back of the neighbour’s shed without permission.
The 45-year-old former Big Brother winner and This Morning star revealed on social media that her neighbour was “fuming” and had “gone mad” after discovering what she had done.
Lawler, who lives in north London, initially didn’t think it would be “a big deal” as she believed her neighbour couldn’t see the newly painted section of the shed from their side.
The broadcaster explained she had the back of her neighbour’s “garish blue” shed painted black because it was visible from her garden, but admitted she should have asked for permission first.
Taking to Instagram, Lawler shared her predicament with followers, asking: “Would you go mad if your neighbour painted the back of your shed?”
She elaborated in her post caption: “Why do I always get myself in these situations? I’m in trouble with my neighbour for painting the back of their shed a different colour. Won’t be doing it again, as in hindsight I know I should have asked first, but I didn’t think it would be a big deal given that they can’t see it?”
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The presenter questioned her followers: “Would you be annoyed if you discovered the back of your shed (which you couldn’t see) had been painted by the neighbour whose garden backed on to yours?”
She concluded by asking if she was “an a***hole” who should “buy them flowers and a box of milk tray to apologise” following the fallout with her neighbour.
In a follow-up video, Lawler revealed she had discovered her actions were actually illegal and explained: “I’ve just found out that I’ve broken the law. I found out that painting someone’s shed is illegal.
“I genuinely didn’t know that I was leaning over my garden, sorry, not me but my gardener, that him leaning over my garden to someone else’s garden and painting the back of their shed without their permission is trespassing.”
She issued a public apology on Instagram, writing: “WARNING! Do not lean into your neighbour’s garden and paint the back of their shed/fence or anything as it’s actually illegal.
“It’s considered trespassing or vandalism, which I genuinely didn’t realise at the time.”
Lawler expressed remorse, saying she was “sorry” to her neighbour and would “never do it again”.
The incident sparked divided reactions among Lawler’s social media followers, with many taking opposing stances on the garden dispute.
Some followers were firmly on the neighbour’s side, with one commenting: “I’d be furious.” Another wrote: “Mmmmmm it’s her shed so yeh she has the right to kick off bab soz.”
A third follower pointed out: “To be fair, I’ve just paid nearly £600 for my shed and wouldn’t want someone painting it without asking, so I can see why she’s fed up… It’s her property.”
However, others were more sympathetic to Lawler’s position, as one supporter wrote: “Wouldn’t care less if I couldn’t see it but yea suppose u should of asked first love u bubs xxx.”
Another joked: “I’d love it! ..you’re the famous Kate Lawler! That’s like having a Banksy on your shed.”
Lawler acknowledged her mistake and shared her plan to make amends with her neighbour by purchasing a “sorry present” and apologising in person.
In her Instagram post, she reminded followers of Albert Einstein’s wisdom: “Just remember what Albert Einstein once said…. The man who never made any mistakes never made anything. #shedgate”. (sic)
