Leapy Lee - chart topping singer of the 1960s and 70s

Every week I write and article for the Euro Weekly News, an English-speaking newspaper covering all the major resorts of Spain and the Balearics. You can pick up a copy on a Thursday ... or read it here every week.

Thursday 6 September 2007

Sometimes I really do despair for the illustrious UK power brigade. Last week a number of them declared their puzzlement as to why so many Brits were leaving the country for good? Apparently last year Some 196,000 British nationals (sadly) left the shores of the old country - 540, 0000 came in! Not a great deal of mystery involved in that equation I wouldn't think!

For the past couple of scribble ups I have been recounting the events that led to my unfortunate incarceration in the early seventies. The pieces have already prompted some interesting comments and letters, many concerning Diana Dors and her husband Alan Lake. Mr. Paul Rees wrote to say he 'felt rather sorry for Lake' who, in the aftermath of it all spent many years fighting his severe alcoholism until finally, in his son's bedroom; took his own life with a shotgun. Well Paul I'm sure your sentiments are well intentioned but forgive me if I find it difficult to share your kindly attitude. As I endeavor to conclude this tragi-saga I leave it to you and the readers to make your own decisions as to why this should be the case.

Last week concluded with yours truly being severely attacked by a gang of men in the dim light of the Red Lion car park in Sunningdale. Somehow Lake had managed to thrust his am through the legs of my assailants and pass me a knife.......

In all the confusion I had no time to contemplate why he would be doing this, instead of piling in and helping me to survive what was ostensibly the result of his original confrontation. The fact of the matter was, I now had a weapon! Frankly, had it been a machine gun, now experiencing a real fear of being beaten to death, I would have opened up with it. In the event, snarling and shouting, more out of fear than rage, I began to lash out. If I actually caught anyone it certainly didn't bother me- I just wanted out! I whirled the knife around, rising as I did so.

The mob fell back. Seeing a narrow gap appear in the circle, I lunged toward it. One of the gang, misinterpreting my action, suddenly turned and ran. I hurled through the gap that had now opened up. The fact that I was now behind the fleeing youth was pure coincidence. I was actually running away, not after. I raced into the darkness. After a few moments, realizing there was no pursuit, I staggered to a halt, my forerunner having sped off into the night.

As I sank to the grass, shaking and gasping I could feel the stickiness of blood every where. I waited a while in the darkness, trying to gather my breath and strength back. What the hell happened to Lake? I thought. I decided (more for Dors sake than anything else) to go back and look for him. Unsteadily I slowly retraced my steps back to the car park. As I peered carefully around some bushes I observed the double doors of the bar being closed. Through the glazed windows I could see someone reaching up and presumably sliding the top bolts home. I peered around the now silent car park, suddenly there in silhouette; standing right in the middle of the park I espied Lake. Calling to him softly I slowly approached him. 'Where were you?' I gasped, still out of breath.

'Oh luvvey' he growled in those old familiar 'actor tones'. 'I think they've done my arm - somebody stood on it' Oh really? I mused, probably when you were shoving the knife between their legs - What a shame I thought! 'Here I said handing him the knife 'you can have this back'

And that's about it for another 'seven' Next week Ill tell you how Dors became involved and could have finished up beside us in the dock!

Have a peaceful week. Keep cool and, as per usual, always keep the faith.
Love Leapy

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