Martin Lewis reveals tech reporter wife's phone dumped by thieves for being outdated

Martin Lewis has revealed his technology journalist wife’s phone was dumped by muggers – for being too old and outdated.

The financial expert – known for his appearances on ITV’s This Morning – shared details of how his wife Lara Lewington, who presents BBC technology programme Click, was mugged in a “snatch and grab” theft.

But she was reunited with her smartphone later the same day after the robbers ditched the old mobile and it was found by a helpful cyclist.

Lewis, 48, tweeted: “Last night a moped swerved to the curb & passenger snatched Mrs MSE's mobile. Shaken, I called police to report. 15mins later a kind cyclist called, he'd found it in road. We got it back.

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“#irony thieves dump tech journo's phone as not gd enuff. [sic]”

Lewington, 41, revealed further details of how the phone had been stolen and returned.

She wrote on Instagram: “Last night whilst out walking, a motorcycle swerved at speed, and the pillion rider grabbed my phone out of my hand.

“As I felt someone behind me, for a split second I’d thought it was an accident happening and hoped the person was okay, then by the time I could turn around my phone was gone - with terrifying pace and accuracy.

“So focused on mask and hand sanitising these days, I guess I’d forgotten to be so vigilant about this.

“Obviously I was immediately grateful not to be hurt, and that my daughter wasn’t there to witness it - just a bit gutted I’d lost so many photos after a series of inexplicable backup fails.

“After my husband called the police (whilst I mentally figured out the frustrating and time consuming admin I’d need to do), shockingly via a call ‘home’ he got a message from a kind cyclist who had found the phone minutes later (thieves had dumped it) - and despite how damaged it was, and the coronavirus risk, had picked it up and tried to find its owner.

“Despite some initial weariness, we explained, to his shock, what had happened and asked if he’d meet us in a busy place. He was happy to.

“We jumped in a black cab to get there, told Junior the cabbie the story (he was outraged, and kindly decided to wait with us whilst we checked this wasn’t part two of the scam).

“But when we got there, Sam the cyclist, was an honest nice man, and returned my phone. The screen smashed, but the photos intact. Police report updated.

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“The moral of the story? Have an old smartphone that not even a thief thinks is worth having.”

Lewis and former 5 News weather presenter Lewington married in 2009. The couple share a seven-year-old daughter.