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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Everett

Martin Lewis stuns fans as he says he's been forced to send back his OBE

Martin Lewis has left fans stunned as he said he's been forced to send back his OBE.

The Money Saving Expert is best known for him tips on saving money, most recently giving the public advice on the cost of living crisis.

The 50-year-old was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to consumer rights and to charitable services.

Martin was later awarded a CBE for services to broadcasting and consumer rights in the Queen's New Year Honours at the beginning of 2022.

On Monday he posted a snap of his OBE honour and said: "They're taking my OBE off me! Yep, I got a letter saying now I have been upgraded to a CBE, I need to send the OBE back."

Martin has been giving money saving advice (PA)
Martin has been given a CBE (REUTERS)

One confused fan commented: "Why can’t you have both!!??"

As a second said: "Seems a shame to send it back when the box has The Queen’s crest on it."

And a third quipped: "I would of sold it to pay the energy bills already".

Martin often appears on ITV's Good Morning Britain where he talks about the rise of energy bills.

Recently he clashed with a journalist as he accused her of 'pooh-pooing' ideas to help people save money on their heating and electricity bills.

He spoke to former Tory MP Edwina Currie and journalist and author Ella Wheelan where they discussed the government spending money on public information to help people reduce their energy costs.

While Edwina agreed with the idea, Ella pointed out that it's a 'reframing of the energy crisis as something that individuals need to take on as some kind of crusade'.

She said the new information scheme amounted to telling the public how to 'live a miserable existence'.

Martin replied: "Hold on, to poo-poo every single idea, you are actually encouraging people to have a more miserable existence...

"Let me ask you a question Ella. What's the price of cooking a potato in the microwave or the oven? What is it? Because, information? Which is cheaper?"

Ella said she didn't know while Martin continued to ask her.

She then said: "If I can make a point Martin, I've got a baby on the way, arriving tomorrow, and I'm just talking about people's priorities."

Martin often appears on Good Morning Britain (ITV)

Holding back tears, Ella continued: "My priority is going to be can I keep that kid warm in the draughty house that I live in? Can I give that baby a bath every night that it needs to have. What are my priorities? I'll freeze my backside off to keep that baby warm."

Households will have started to receive a £400 energy bill discount from October 1 and in November, a £300 one-off Pensioner Cost of Living Payment will be paid out to eight million households.

Those who already get the winter fuel payment will receive this, which is worth between £100 and £300 for those over state pension age.

From November 8, vulnerable households will receive a £324 cost of living cash boost.

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