Would James Reid save Billy Crawford from P5 million debt?

Billy Crawford (left) and James Reid. Images: screengrab from YouTube/Lunch Out Loud, Instagram/@james

It turns out that James Reid is not the type to leave his friends hanging even when they ask to borrow a large amount of money, as proven on Billy Crawford’s live television prank call.

Crawford decided to pull a prank on Reid by pretending that he was in dire need of money during a segment of “Lunch Out Loud” released yesterday, Nov. 5.

“Iiwan niya ba ako sa ere o mahal ako ng kapatid kong si James Reid?” Crawford wondered as he prepared to call Reid. (Will he leave me hanging or does my brother James Reid love me?)

‘It’s no problem’

Crawford started the call by asking the usual “how are you doing” and congratulated Reid for Nadine Lustre’s successful release of the visual album “Wildest Dreams” earlier this month.

He then proceeded to explain his “situation” to Reid, stressing, “Listen, James, I hate to do this to you, bro. I’m in a major, major bind right now. I have a big problem. I’m really embarrassed, sorry bro.”

“Listen. I’m a bit stressed out and I’m in need of help. Since the whole pandemic thing started, we’re all trying to move on and do our thing but the problem is, for the longest time – six, seven months – I haven’t made any money whatsoever, right?”

“So, obviously, you know where this is going, bro. I’m about to lose my house,” Crawford added.

Reid could only answer with a “no way.” Crawford then proceeded to explain that he will lose his house and was only “given a few months to actually pay for it off.”

“Are you good if I can like borrow, let’s say, in advance of 5 million?” the prankster continued while his co-hosts tried to remain quiet and eagerly waited for Reid’s reply.

“Okay, right now, my situation is most of my money is in Australia so I have about (bleeped) here with me,” he said. The amount that Reid mentioned was censored on the show.

“Oh, dang. Wait, you know, I don’t really want to do this to you, bro, because, like, I really feel embarrassed. So, any amount actually right now will do,” Crawford answered.

Reid then replied that he is “willing to help” and that “it’s no problem.” He then told Crawford that he will get back to him as he just cannot leave from where he was at the time.

Crawford then asked for another favor from Reid — which was if he could borrow his car to work.

“Obviously, I’m not telling my wife everything because she just gave birth. I have a new kid and it’s just really messed up,” Crawford explained. “Would you be able to do like really quickly, maybe less than a week, like 2.5 or 3 million at least, or whatever you can?”

“Or even 500,000 or 150, it doesn’t matter. I’m really desperate right now bro. Don’t tell anybody this but I sold my car […] two days ago, I sold my bike because I really need funds,” he added.

Crawford then asked if he can borrow Reid’s car, to which the latter replied: “A car? Yeah sure. Yes, I have a spare car. Actually, no problem, man.”

After getting Reid’s approval, Crawford decided to turn it up a notch by asking Reid if he could sell the car and promised him that he will return more money than he borrowed — all while his co-hosts tried to hold their laughter in the background.

After a brief pause, Reid just replied, “Okay, let me transfer you how much I have in my bank right now,” not responding to Crawford’s offer to sell his car.

“Most of my money is in Australia, but I’m planning on bringing a lot of it back anyway, because of the way things are going here. So, I’ll let you know. I’ll get back to you within today.”

Crawford then asked if Reid was “pissed off” at him, to which Reid replied, “No, not at all. I completely understand you. You have a kid.”

“Yeah, I understand, man. I know that’s not easy. But I’m here for you, bro. I completely understand,” Reid emphasized.

After Reid said that he would let Crawford know how much he would be able to send at around lunchtime, Crawford insisted that Reid send a quick P1,500 immediately so his wife, Coleen Garcia, can pay for diapers.

“Okay, yeah, sure. How am I gonna send that to you?” Reid asked.

“Wait, let me try to figure this out. I can actually just text to you the bank account so you can just either wire transfer it or you can actually just sit down or relax because this is a prank call, my bro!” Crawford then revealed.

As the studio erupted after the big reveal, Reid could only laugh and told Crawford “Billy… oh my God. That’s how much I love you, bro!”

“I know! I could tell you love me. Imagine, you told us how much money you got in your account right now bro!” Crawford replied as he and his co-hosts laughed.

“This is one of the reasons why you were my first target because I love you brother and I know you will never leave me hanging,” he added.

“Bro, I’m gonna f*cking kill you when I see you!” Reid could only reply.

After the call ended, the “Lunch Out Loud” hosts praised the actor-singer, telling Crawford that his friend is very kind. Ian Biong/NVG

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