Tom Leppard
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| Leopard Man | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tom Leppard Woodbridge, Suffolk |
| Other names | Leopard Man of Skye |
| Known for | formerly the world's most tattooed man |
Tom Leppard (born 1934 or 1935, Woodbridge, Suffolk [1]), more widely known as Leopard Man or the Leopard Man of Skye, was formerly considered by the Guinness Book of World Records to be the world's most tattooed man.[2] Leppard fled society years ago after spending £5,500 to have his body covered in leopard-like colored pattern. He lived in a small cabin on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Once every week, the ex-soldier travelled by kayak to buy supplies and pick up his pension.
An interview with Leppard exploring both his past and his current lifestyle is in Henry Hemming's 'In Search of the English Eccentric', published in June 2008.
If he went back to civilization, he said he would be plagued by "interfering busybodies" and kids throwing stones at his window.
However, in 2008 he moved into a terraced house on Broadford, Skye after a friend offered to move him by boat. Mr. Leppard (now in his seventies) no longer wished to journey by kayak across the Kyle of Lochalsh as he was only “one big wave away from disaster”.[3]
[edit] Interesting facts
- His tattoo does not consist only of spots: the area around them is also covered in golden tattoo paint. Thus all of his body is coveredin tattoo, except areas between his fingers and toes and inside ears.
- He also has leopard eyes tattooed over his eyelids.
- Tom also has cat-like teeth implants to accompany his 'leopard' appearance.
[edit] Notes
- ^ interview with Neil Stephen in the Guardian newspaper: The cat who came in from the cold (28 October 2008)
- ^ Lucky Diamond Rich is now acknowledged as the world's most tattooed person. Guinness World Records. "Most Tattooed Person". http://www.guinessworldrecords.com/records/human_body/body_beautiful/most_tattooed_person.aspx. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ http://www.monkeyreview.co.uk/2008/10/28/tom-leppard-the-leopard-man-retires/
