THE founder of Pimlico Plumbers has managed to get his flash £450,000 Rolls-Royce stuck on a bollard.
Charlie Mullins, 70, was driving in central London a couple of days ago with his fiancée Rachel ‘Ra-Ra’ Leavesley, when he encountered a blockage and drove his Roller onto the bollard and was unable to shift it.
The multimillionaire and former boss of the plumbing empire said he had tried to let another car past in the West End while there was travel chaos in the capital as roads were closed and diversions in place for the annual Ride London event.
While trying to make way for the other car, Charlie didn’t notice the bollard and drove over it, bringing his Rolls-Royce Cullinan with the personalised number plate CII4RLE to a standstill.
The expensive motor had to be removed by a breakdown truck.
Charlie said: “I was taking [Ra-Ra] to an appointment in Dover Street and had to take one road as loads of roads were shut for Ride London.
“A Jeep was coming in the opposite direction. There were some vehicles parked up and I thought the gap was a bit tight so I moved over to let him through.
“Next thing I knew I was jammed up on the bollard. Luckily, I was going really slowly or else I guess the car could have shot up in the air.
“We tried to reverse off but it was stuck. The only thing to do was call for someone to come and tow it away.
“We waited around and it did seem to give people a laugh that this Rolls-Royce was stuck on a bollard.
“The guy driving the Jeep stopped to make sure we were all right and I told him it was fine.
“Eventually the breakdown truck arrived and we decided the Roller wasn’t safe to drive.”
The pair then took a cab home.
Charlie, who is estimated to be worth a cool £70million took the prang all in his stride though.
He said: “It’s going into Rolls-Royce for repairs today, so I don’t know what the damage will be. It doesn’t seem to be too bad but it will probably cost a few quid.
“I drive along there a few times a month and I have never even noticed the bollard. A guy there said quite a few motors have ended up stuck on it.
“It’s a bit annoying but there you are, it is what it is.”
Replying to a concerned message on Twitter, Charlie wrote “Hi, no damage just some plastic grill from underneath. l moved over to let some guy through did not see low down bollard. They said it happens quite often thanks.”
Charlie popped to question to singer Rachel, 32, last year, in what will be his third marriage.
The pair live in a £10m Thames-side apartment in London.
He sold Pimlico Plumbers last year and is currently pursuing a career as a media personality.
Charlie admitted he was recognised for his hair style and didn’t mind being called Rod, after singer Rod Stewart.
He has just completed a pilot episode for a show called Naked Millionaire, where he has to build a business from scratch.
There is also the possibility of him and his fiancée featuring in a reality TV show in the future.
