Leonard John McLean (9 April 1949 – 28 July 1998) was an English unlicensed boxer, bouncer, bodyguard, businessman and actor. He was known as "The Guv'nor", "the King of the Cobbles " and "the hardest man in Britain". McLean's pugilist reputation began in the East End of London in the late 1960s and was sustained through to the late 1980s.

Feb 2, 2025 · Lenny McLean, once dubbed 'Britain's hardest man', was a formidable figure standing at 6ft 3in and weighing 20 stone. The East End tough guy used his intimidating stature in his roles...

May 1, 2024 · Lenny was an East End hardman who was notorious for being an unlicensed boxer, bouncer and bodyguard. He later appeared in Guy Ritchie’s film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, shortly before his death in 1998 aged 49.

Lenny McLean rose from London's East End to be a revered fighter and author. His son’s personal journey looks at what made the troubled man tick. Watch trailers & learn more.

Feb 2, 2025 · 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...

Oct 10, 2024 · Lenny's mother, Rose, later married Jim Irwin, who was, like her previous husband, a conman. Unlike the elder McLean, Irwin was also a violent alcoholic, who physically abused Lenny and his brothers for many years.

Lenny's mother, Rose, later married Jim Irwin, who was, like her previous husband, a conman. Unlike the elder McLean, Irwin was also a violent alcoholic, who physically abused Lenny and his brothers for many years. By the age of ten, McLean had suffered many broken bones.

Jun 6, 2023 · A bareknuckle fighter known as 'Britain's hardest man' garnered his reputation with stunts such as fighting an 18-man stag do. Read all about 'The Guv'nor' Lenny McLean here.

Lenny's mother, Rose, married again to Jim Irwin. McLean's first unlicensed boxing match came about as a result of a chance meeting while in his late teens. Kenny Mac, a gypsy used-car salesman in Kingsland Road, Hackney, became friends with McLean, and on numerous bouts Mac acted as McLean's boxing manager.

Oct 7, 2016 · There’s some footage towards the beginning of The Guv’nor, Paul Van Carter’s brutal yet measured documentary about Lenny McLean, which just about sums up the temperament of the famed East End...