Unless my google-fu has let me down, the father is Perry Hughes a music agent who used to represent Salford born pop-operatic tenor Russell Watson (British mums love 'im). Sounds as if the pair had an acrimonious split and according to this article (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/watso...) Russell had to pay out big.

So I'm guessing Perry has a few connections and can get some PR when he wants. Perhaps 'selling one of the family homes' doesn't provide the same punchy headline.