'britain's hardest man' died after experiencing little-known cancer warning sign

There was a time when Lenny McLean - once known as ‘Britain’s hardest man’ - thought he could take on the world. The notorious East End hardman was a towering 6ft 3in giant who weighed 20

stone - and he used his intimidating physique as a bareknuckle boxer, bouncer and bodyguard. He was also a ruthless debt collector who would “growl” and “froth at the mouth” in order to get

what he wanted. One former pal described him as an “absolute animal” who used his head as a “battering ram to smash people senseless”. But despite his powerful nature, his daughter later

revealed he may have been suffering from a secret health battle, before cancer eventually cost him his life. Kelly, told The Mirror 20 years after his death that she feared her dad was

unknowingly suffering from bipolar disorder. "If I could have my dad back for one day, I'd tell him I was sorry that I judged him like everyone else," she explained.

"There were times I hated him and I looked at him like he was bully. It got to the stage where I couldn't even laugh at his jokes. "We did live in fear of him, but I

didn't understand he had this condition. "I'm absolutely shocked and ashamed because if I'd known then what I do now I probably wouldn't have looked at my dad the

way I did. I probably could have helped him." Lenny famously starred in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels alongside Vinnie Jones. But he tragically died before the film was released

in 1998. And Micky Theo, who was a former colleague of Lenny who drove him around London, revealed what his final few months were like. He told the Criminal Connection podcast: “At the time

we were together quite a bit, right up to the time that he passed. LUNG CANCER SYMPTOMS According to the NHS, the main symptoms of lung cancer include: * a cough that does not go away after

3 weeks * a long-standing cough that gets worse * chest infections that keep coming back * coughing up blood * an ache or pain when breathing or coughing * persistent breathlessness *

persistent tiredness or lack of energy * loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss However, the NHS also warned that lesser known symtoms like difficulty swallowing, wheezing and a hoarse

voice are less common signs of lung cancer. “He was walking down with a stick at the late stages. We used to go and eat a lot, he loved his foot, and he’d go anywhere I’d take him. “He’d

just got into the film world, just got his new house, and everything was going great for him, and he took a downturn.” Lung cancer meant Lenny took his final breath aged just 49 in July 1998

before Lock Stock was released weeks later. His son Jamie revealed that while shooting scenes, Lenny experienced flu symptoms. However, an X-ray eventually discovered lung cancer. According

to the NHS, some of the main symptoms of lung cancer include a cough that does not go away after three weeks, recurring chest infections and persistent breathlessness. Less common signs

include wheezing and a hoarse voice and according to the Moffitt Cancer Center, people often mistake lung cancer for the flu, just like Lenny did. They said: “In many cases, lung cancer

signs do not become apparent or prompt an individual to seek medical attention until the tumor reaches an advanced stage. The initial signs, if any, are typically mild and often mistakenly

attributed to another, less serious condition, such as the common cold or flu.” Jamie thinks his dad would have gone on to become British acting royalty had he still been alive. Speaking to

The Telegraph, he said: “When he arrived on the set of Lock Stock, someone asked him what drama school he attended. Without missing a beat, Len told him ‘I’ve been shot twice, stabbed 100

times and had 10,000 bar-room brawls - is that enough drama for you?’ “Guy Ritchie said he was a natural, with perfect timing. If he was around today he would’ve been a really accomplished

British character, maybe in Game of Thrones or something. He’d probably have tried Shakespeare for all we know…”