EASTENDERS star John Blundell is locked in a four-year legal battle with his neighbours after his wife was bitten by their dog.
The bitter dispute started when John’s wife, Mercina, was nipped by a Chinese crested dog, called Ziggy, while the couple were staying at their holiday home near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.
The actor’s relationship with Alison and Andrew Girdiefski soured after the incident in June 2021 – which left Mercina with a scar on her wrist.
Since the bite, the Blundells claim that they have been harassed by their neighbours.
Mercina accused the pair of targeting her and her husband by singing “who let the dogs out”; and filming them when nearby.
But the Girdiefski’s have denied these claims, explaining that relations between the two couples had been fine before issues with insurance cropped up.
Mr Girdiefski said: ‘We saw them multiple times after the incident.
“They were very friendly still. We even went for dinner at their lodge.
“Suddenly – out of the blue – they were asking for our pet insurance details and told us they would be making a claim.”;
Alison added: “We were still all happy when they were going through the pet insurance stage and there was no animosity at all at this point.
“But when they learned that the pet insurance wouldn’t pay out to them because the incident took place inside the holiday lodge, things changed.”;
The bite occurred two months after the Blundells purchased their lodge at Fritton Lake resort, which has more than 100 lodges for sale – ranging up to £350,000.
The resort is owned by Lord Somerleyton and features 5,000 acres of countryside, a bar, restaurant, outdoor pool, gym, tennis courts and a floating sauna.
The Bill star John and his wife had been in their neighbour’s lodge when she was bitten.
Her wound was later treated at the nearby James Paget Hospital.
They made a claim on their neighbour’s pet insurance, but were denied because it didn’t occur in a public space.
It was from this point that Mercina claims the couple started verbally abusing her and her husband.
She said: “They would sneakily film us and hurl abuse at us.
“Alison would drive past really slowly. She would call us all the names under the sun and try to irk a reaction.
“When they would go past, they would bark at us and growl, pretending to be dogs.
“They have shown no guilt or remorse and would even sing ‘Who Let the Dogs Out?’ as they passed.
“All we wanted was an apology. Alison has abused us so many times and even threatened to burn our lodge down.
“At some points, I have literally broken down.
“We do not want animosity with anyone and this is not the retirement we want.”;
John added: “We now go back to our home in Camden in London for a rest.
“This was supposed to be an idyllic holiday retreat and it has turned into a living nightmare.”;
They contacted Norfolk Police in April 2023, reporting the dog bite and harassment.
Ziggy was placed on the register of dangerous dogs and the couple were given a talking to by cops.
John and Mercina then launched a civil case after police confirmed no further action was to be taken in relation to harassment.
The Girdiefskis have already spent tens of thousand of pounds on legal fees, with final costs yet to be ruled in court.
Mrs Girdiefski fumed: “These sums of money are just ridiculous.
“This is the sort of money you would expect to be paying somebody who has had their face ripped off by a dog, not this mere 1.2cm cut.
“We thought they were doing this for money. Why else would they be doing it?
“From day one, we have accepted responsibility. Our Ziggy did bite Mercina and we have never denied this.
“We wanted it settled and have made multiple attempts to settle the matter with them.”;
John responded: “This is absolutely nothing to do with financial gain at all.
“It is simply about accountability.”;
A final settlement figure will be decided at Norwich County Court later this year.
