Once-Famous 'Doctor Who' Actress Meg Wynn Owen Was Stranded Penniless in Her 70s – Photos

The star, who appeared in some of the UK's most beloved productions, quietly endured financial ruin after placing her trust in a long-time friend who would ultimately betray her, leaving her struggling to afford even the most basic necessities.

Once a familiar face on British television, Meg Wynn Owen's final years unfolded in stark contrast to the celebrated career that once defined her, revealing a deeply troubling story of trust, vulnerability, and financial exploitation.

Best known for her roles in "Upstairs, Downstairs," "Doctor Who," "Pride and Prejudice," and "Love Actually," the actress — born Margaret Wright — spent her later years in a Cardiff care home battling dementia.

However, behind closed doors, her financial security was quietly being stripped away by someone she had trusted for decades. That person was Brian Malam, a costume designer and long-time friend whom Owen had met through their work at the BBC.

The consequences were both immediate and deeply distressing.

In 2014, as her condition worsened and she required support managing her affairs, Malam was granted power of attorney over her finances — a legal responsibility intended to safeguard her wellbeing.

Instead, the court later heard, it became the means through which he systematically depleted her life savings. Over a period of around four years, Malam siphoned off approximately £65,000.

The money was taken through a combination of bank transfers into his own account, direct spending, and repeated cash withdrawals. Despite being entrusted with ensuring Owen's care needs were met, he failed to provide sufficient funds for even her most basic essentials.

One of his key responsibilities had been to deposit money into a dedicated account used by care home staff to purchase items for actress Owen. Yet, aside from a handful of payments, this obligation was largely ignored.

The consequences were both immediate and deeply distressing. With no funds available, staff were unable to buy her clothes or arrange professional hairdressing services.

By the time the case came to light, the actress's finances had been almost entirely drained.

As a result, Owen was forced to wear clothing that had belonged to deceased residents, while care staff stepped in to cut her hair themselves — a situation that underscored the extent of her financial and personal decline.

The court also heard that Malam's presence in her life diminished over time. Initially visiting her at the care home, his visits became increasingly infrequent before stopping altogether, even as he continued to access her finances.

The isolation Owen experienced, with little to no contact from other friends or family, was said to have contributed to the delay in uncovering the abuse.

Concerns were eventually raised in October 2014 when care staff accompanied Owen to her bank, where a review of her statements revealed irregularities. Prosecutor Abigail Jackson later told the court:

"Mrs Wright became terribly upset about it."

The matter was first referred to the Office of the Public Guardian, which launched an investigation before passing the case to police, where an inquiry formally began in September 2020.

By the time the case came to light, the actress's finances had been almost entirely drained. One of her bank accounts showed an overdraft of £1,750.12, which was later written off, while another contained just £229.94.

Two additional accounts held only 72p and 21p respectively — stark figures that illustrated the scale of the loss. Following his arrest, Malam admitted to taking "tens of thousands of pounds" but insisted he had intended to repay the money.

He claimed it had been used primarily to fund materials for his costume design business and suggested he believed Owen would have wanted him to have the funds, as she had once indicated he might inherit her estate.

The judge also highlighted how Owen's isolation may have emboldened the offending, as it reduced the likelihood of immediate detection.

The costume designer's defence also pointed to personal struggles, including excessive alcohol consumption following the breakdown of a relationship, arguing that his life had spiralled "into a miasma of drink" during this period.

It was further claimed that the stolen money had not been spent on luxury items but rather on sustaining his business. The judge, however, rejected these explanations.

In sentencing Malam at Cardiff Crown Court, a judge emphasised the gravity of the breach of trust, noting that power of attorney carried significant legal and moral responsibility.

He told the defendant that he had "betrayed" a vulnerable woman who had relied on him, adding that he continued taking money knowing it was unlikely to ever be repaid.

The judge also highlighted how Owen's isolation may have emboldened the offending, as it reduced the likelihood of immediate detection. In a stark assessment of the harm caused, the judge said:

"The position was that you were taking money from her bank account in significant funds and either transferring into your own account or spending it directly. As time went on, you simply continued in what you were doing [...]."

"She was reduced by your actions towards her," the judge added. Malam, then aged 60 and of Grangetown, Cardiff, subsequently pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position.

Taking into account his plea, he was sentenced to 32 months in prison — the equivalent of two years and eight months — and was set toserve up to half of that term in custody before being released on licence.

Owen sadly passed away in June 2022, before seeing the full outcome of the case that exposed the exploitation she endured in her final years.