A Willy Wonka event organiser claims his life has been "ruined" over botched experience that went viral - and even spawned plans for a musical.
Billy Coull, the company boss which created the much criticised 'Willy's Chocolate Experience' said his life had become "hell" since his firm House of Illumanati put on the botched event. In a Channel 5 documentary about the disastrous event, he said: "My life has been turned around. My life is ruined.' Viewers were shown footage of how 'traumatised' he appeared in the programme.
He said he had received "hundreds and hundreds" of responses from parents a devastated customers online telling urging him to kill himself and other comments describing him as a "devil", "a villain" and even describing him as a terrible father.
Inside the Willy Wonka-inspired experience which left kids in tears (TMX / SWNS)
Dozens of parents vented their rage at the organisers of the event and demanded full refunds (Jenny Fogarty / SWNS)But some parents thought he looked shell shocked by the whole experience. One person wrote on X: "!I genuinely feel sorry for the organiser he looks broken." Mr Coull said on the documentary: "I was hoping for an event that would be joyful happy. I wanted people to experience happiness." And another parent saw the anguish he had been through saying "I genuinely hope he is okay and I fear for his mental health and state of mind."
Another said: "I know this was a bad experience and i agree they should get their money back and its not ok to upset kids, but i genuinely hope billy is ok, this is someones mental health and life we are talking about, we say time and time again, be kind, he doesn't deserve death threats."
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The event was described as 'shambolic' by parents (TWITTER)
A bizarre masked figure formed part of the 'attraction'People continued to feel his pain online saying: 'I’m feeling really uncomfortable watching Billy Coull on the # wonka documentary- the guy is clearly not very well. I hope he has people around him looking after him." While another wrote: "Omg why do I feel sorry for Billy though."
The Mirror reported how botched Willy Wonka experience is to be turned into a stage musical in the US. Top Broadway songwriters and producers have announced they are working on a musical parody of the viral event. Hundreds of people forked out £35 for tickets last month but were left furious after being ushered into a warehouse sparsely filled with Wonka-themed decorations and a bouncy castle in the corner.
Coull was forced to shut the doors of the 'attraction' when police were called in. The musical - titled Willy Fest - is planned as a live event for later this year and is being led by Richard Kraft, who produced The Little Mermaid Live show.
The event fell hugely short of expectations (TWITTER)
Billy Coull apologised for the 'botched' event (FACEBOOK)He gathered a team of writers and musicians to bring the project to fruition including Riki Lindhome, an Emmy nominee known for the musical group Garfunkel and Oates, and Broadway songwriters Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner.
The Mirror reported Kraft said: "While most see nothing but wreckage in a disaster of this magnitude, we all think it screams out: MUSICAL!! While it is quite common for there to be writers' rooms in television, taking that approach with theatrical songwriters is fairly unique and likely to produce amazingly satirical and unexpected results."
Mr Coull has was previously criticised for cancelling a Santa's grotto event in 2021 after toys and gifts had been donated. That event was axed over concerns about the Omicron virus.
The Wonka event used AI generated text to create an idyllic picture of the event which never materialised. On his website it described "Delectable Chocolate Fountains" and took kids and parents through a fake fantasy world.
It said: "Picture yourself standing before cascading chocolate fountains, each velvety stream inviting you to dip, indulge, and savor the richness of Willy Wonka’s world. These delectable fountains are not just a treat for the taste buds; they’re a visual spectacle, creating an atmosphere of chocolatey bliss that permeates the air. As we countdown to the day when Willy Wonka’s world comes to life, imagine a day filled with laughter, joy, and the irresistible allure of chocolate.
"The immersive delights of this event are poised to create lasting memories and redefine what it means to step into a world of pure imagination."
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