Fred Dibnah’s will brutally excluded wife and was changed two weeks before he died

Fred Dibnah takes down 'massive' chimney brick by brick

The widow of TV figure and English steeplejack Fred Dibnah was left devastated after discovering she was excluded from his will, which was reportedly changed just 14 days before his death.

Sheila Dibnah, who was married to Fred for six years, launched a legal battle seeking “reasonable provision” from his estate.

His estate was estimated to exceed £1million.

The will was revealed to the family after his death and it divided everything among Fred’s five children from his two previous marriages, leaving Sheila and her son Nathan without any inheritance.

Fred Dibnah passed away in November 2004 at the age of 66 following a long battle with bladder cancer.

Fred Dibnah left his widow out of his will (Image: Getty)

Sheila expressed her heartbreak when she found out the news, but added: “It was not a completely unexpected announcement. In the last year of Fred's life he was a very poorly man. His mind was extremely distracted towards the end and I bear that in mind and I hold it close to my thoughts.

“I would hate for his memory to be besmirched by the will and people thinking he has acted selfishly. He was a kind man who was well loved and should be respected for who he was.”

Sheila, who was 20 years younger than Fred, emphasized her right as his spouse to inherit part of his estate.

She added: “I have solicitors on the case and have launched a reasonable provision claim. In this country it is the right of the wife to be left at least something in a will.”

Fred Dibnah became an unlikely British cultural icon through his feats as a steeplejack and his passion for preserving steam engines and industrial heritage.

He was awarded an MBE in 2004 for his contributions to broadcasting and heritage, just months before his death.

Fred’s personal life was just as interesting as his career. His first marriage to Alison, who he had three daughters, ended in a contentious divorce.

He later married Sue, who was 20 years younger than him, and had two sons before divorcing again.

The star died at the age of 66 (Image: Getty)

In 1998 he married Sheila, and the two shared a seemingly happy relationship until his death.

The will was reportedly altered just weeks before Fred passed away, and Sheila raised questions about his intentions during his final days.

She spoke out publicly, saying: “The Fred who changed his will 14 days before he died is not the Fred I married.

“His daughters were not included in the previous will. I am confident I will get my reward for nursing him through those terrible times.”

Although rumours of undue influence were circulated, Sheila’s legal claim was based on her right as Fred’s widow to receive a fair share of his estate.