A doting wife went to her grave believing her ‘veteran’ husband was a British war hero – only for her children to later discover he was nothing more than a fantasist lorry driver.
Mark Izzard lied to partner Tracey for 15 years that he’d fought for his country in Iraq and had his knee obliterated in battle.
To perpetuate the lie he posed for ‘official’ photographs in a fancy dress beret while gripping a BB gun – and even sent himself letters through the post confirming his discharge from the SAS, which he asked his wife to open, as he manufactured an entirely fictional past for almost two decades.
She fell for every word he said, and died of cancer three years ago content she’d spent the best years of her life married to a decorated military hero.
But it was all a lie, as the most gruelling battles her ‘ex-soldier’ husband had ever fought in were on Britain’s roads while working as a delivery driver.
He’d regale his wife and stepchildren with stories of his war-time heroics, explaining how he’d lost good friends in the field of battle.
It was said to have been sent from an SAS base in Hereford, referred to Izzard as a ‘class one sniper’ and detailed his alleged service history.
Looking at it now, Miss Gyoury said: ‘It doesn’t even have a letterhead.
‘I felt betrayed. It made me think what Mum would have done. It would have been very embarrassing for her. It’s a big thing to lie about.’
The brother and sister were aided by internet vigilante group the Walter Mitty Hunters Club in outing Izzard as a con.
Images that he’d shared on Facebook were mocked by ex-troops.
Source: Dailymailuk