Billy Coull is a Scottish entrepreneur, director, organizer, and self-published author. He is the founder of House of Illuminati, a company that claims to create immersive experiences for various events. He is also the director of two other companies, Billy De Savage and Nexuma Holdings, both registered in London.
Coull gained notoriety in February 2024, when he organized the Willy Wonka Chocolate Experience in Glasgow, Scotland, which turned out to be a disappointing and misleading event that angered many parents and children who bought tickets for £35 ($44) each. The event was advertised with AI-generated images and promised a day of pure imagination and wonder, but instead delivered a shambolic and low-quality experience that had nothing to do with the famous novel or movie.
Coull was accused of using dishonest marketing and scamming the attendees, who demanded refunds and called the police. He apologized and claimed to have issued refunds, but also blamed the AI for creating unrealistic expectations. He also said that the event was not related to the Wonka franchise, which is owned by Warner Bros.
Billy Coull Wiki/Bio
| Name | Billy Coull |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, director, organizer, author |
| Known for | Willy Wonka Chocolate Experience scandal, House of Illuminati, AI-written books |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Residence | London, England |
| Wife | Not Known |
| Education | Fake degrees from University of Glasgow and Harvard Business School |
| Companies | House of Illuminati, Billy De Savage, Nexuma Holdings |
| Books | 17 AI-written novels on Amazon |
| billycoullofficial | |
| Wikipedia | Not Published |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
How did Coull respond to the backlash?
Coull, who had previously organized other events such as a Harry Potter-themed escape room and a Halloween horror maze, initially tried to defend his creation, saying that it was a “work of art” and that people had misunderstood his vision. He also blamed some of the problems on “technical issues”, such as a delay in the delivery of holographic paper that was supposed to create a 3D effect.
However, as the complaints and demands for refunds piled up, Coull changed his tune. He shut down the event on Saturday afternoon, after only one day of operation. He also deleted most of the content from his company’s Facebook page and his personal website, leading many to suspect that he had run away with the money.
On Friday, Coull finally broke his silence and issued a statement on Facebook, apologizing to the customers and promising to refund everyone. He also denied some of the rumors that had circulated about him, such as using the event to pay for his wedding or being involved in a cult.
“Firstly, I want to extend my sincerest apologies to every one of you who was looking forward to this event,” Coull wrote. “I understand the disappointment and frustration this has caused, and for that, I am truly sorry.”
He added that he was “shocked” that the event had fallen short of the expectations of people, and that he had “every intention” to hold the event as advertised. He also claimed that he had not made any profit from the event and that he was working with his bank to process the refunds as soon as possible.
“I hope you can accept my apology and understand that this was not a scam or a fraud, but a genuine attempt to create something special for the fans of Willy Wonka,” he concluded.
Wife & Kids
Billy Coull is a controversial figure who gained notoriety for organizing a failed Willy Wonka-themed event in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2024. He is also a self-published author of AI-written novels and a director of several companies.
There is very little information available about Billy Coull’s personal life, especially his wife and kids. He does not share anything about his partner or family on his social media accounts or online profiles. He has also deleted or deactivated many of his online accounts after the Willy Wonka event scandal. It is possible that he prefers to keep his private life away from the public eye, or that he does not have a wife or kids at all.
Therefore, it is difficult to write in detail about Billy Coull’s wife and kids, as there is no reliable source of information on this topic. The only thing that can be said with certainty is that Billy Coull is a mysterious and controversial person who has been involved in several dubious ventures.
What are the legal and ethical implications of the event?
Coull’s apology, however, may not be enough to appease the customers, who feel cheated and deceived by his false advertising and poor execution. Many of them have joined a Facebook group called “Willy Wonka Experience Refunds”, where they share their experiences, vent their anger, and seek legal advice.
Some of the customers have also contacted Trading Standards, a government agency that protects consumers from unfair trading practices, to report Coull and his company. They accuse him of breaching the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which states that traders must provide goods and services that are of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described.
Moreover, Coull may also face legal action from the Roald Dahl estate, which owns the rights to the Willy Wonka brand and characters. Coull did not have a license or permission to use the name and images of Willy Wonka, and he may have infringed on the intellectual property and trademark of the estate.
The estate has not commented on the matter, but it is known to be very protective of its properties and has sued other unauthorized users in the past. For example, in 2018, it sued a chocolate company called Qzina for creating a replica of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory without permission.
Coull’s event also raises ethical questions about the use of AI in creating and promoting events. Coull admitted that he used AI tools to generate the artwork, the descriptions, and the script for his event, without disclosing this to the customers or the actors. He also published several AI-generated thriller novels on Amazon, with plots that touch on right-wing themes around human trafficking and vaccination.
While AI can be a useful and creative tool for entertainment and education, it can also be misused and abused for deception and manipulation. Coull’s event shows how AI can create false expectations and misleading information, and how it can exploit the trust and curiosity of consumers, especially children.
What are the lessons learned from the event?
Coull’s event, which was supposed to be a tribute to one of the most beloved children’s stories of all time, turned out to be a cautionary tale of greed, dishonesty, and incompetence. It also exposed the risks and challenges of using AI in the entertainment industry, and the need for more regulation and transparency.
The event also serves as a reminder for consumers to be more vigilant and critical when buying tickets for events online, and to check the reviews, ratings, and credentials of the organizers before making a purchase. It also shows the importance of supporting the official and authorized versions of the Willy Wonka story, such as the upcoming prequel film Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet, which is set to be released in 2025.
As for the parents and children who attended the event, they may have been disappointed and traumatized by the experience, but they can also take comfort in the fact that they have a unique and memorable story to tell. They can also look forward to the real chocolate and candy that Coull has promised to send them, along with their refunds.
And as for Coull, he may have learned a hard lesson from his failed venture, and he may have to face the legal and financial consequences of his actions. But he can also hope that, like Willy Wonka, he can redeem himself and make amends for his mistakes. After all, as the famous song from the 1971 film says, “If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it. Anything you want to, do it. Want to change the world? There’s nothing to it.”
