I have absolutely no problem with that code you have posted. Displays the image just fine..

Would it be possible for you to find out and let us know if the setting ‘allow_url_fopen’ is turned on or off in your php ini file? And if off would it be possible to turn it on?

Now you’ve caught me out! I have absolutely no idea how to tell if it is on or off, or even how to find out!

Where would I find it?

well a phpinfo() call would do it but in this case I would, perhaps, ask your host. I guess the interesting question would be is this setting off and, if so, has it been turned off recently. Then – if so, can it be turned back on again – even if just temporarily to see if it makes any difference.