Lee Chapman is back for a third appearance on Terry Stone’s Criminal Connection Podcast, and this time, he’s sharing some of his most shocking stories yet.
Known for his connections to the infamous Essex Boys and his years working alongside Tony Tucker, Lee Chapman has witnessed a side of British nightlife that few people could imagine.
Having already become one of the podcast’s most popular guests, Chapman returns to discuss everything from a £50,000 murder offer to terrifying supernatural encounters, armed robberies and the reality of working as one of Britain’s most feared doormen.
But beyond the violence and extraordinary stories, this episode also reveals a more personal side of Lee Chapman.
Lee Chapman, Tony Tucker and the Essex Boys Era
For anyone familiar with the Essex Boys story, Lee Chapman is a name that regularly comes up.
During the 1990s, Chapman worked across some of Britain’s busiest nightclubs, building a formidable reputation in the security industry and forming a close relationship with Tony Tucker.
His experiences placed him alongside individuals whose lives would later inspire the Rise of the Footsoldier films and countless true crime documentaries.
In this latest conversation with Terry Stone, Chapman revisits his relationship with Tucker, including an occasion when Tucker and several other doormen accidentally set fire to the kitchen of a property where Chapman had been staying.
The episode also brings exciting news for fans. Lee Chapman’s book is finally complete, promising even more stories about his remarkable life that haven’t previously been shared on the podcast.
The £50,000 Murder Offer Lee Chapman Turned Down
One of the biggest revelations comes when Chapman describes being offered £50,000 to kill someone.
According to Chapman, the proposal came through an associate of a wealthy individual he had previously worked for.
The meeting took place at a swimming pool, which Chapman believes was deliberately chosen to prevent the conversation from being secretly recorded.
He recalls being approached by a man who offered him £50,000 to eliminate an unnamed individual.
Rather than accepting, Chapman told the man he would think about it. He was handed a telephone number but later destroyed it and never followed up.
He explains that he never discovered the intended target or whether someone else eventually accepted the offer.
It’s an extraordinary account that demonstrates the dangerous circles Chapman encountered during his years in nightclub security.
Lee Chapman’s Terrifying Supernatural Experiences
Away from the criminal underworld, Chapman shares several unsettling stories about experiences he cannot explain.
One involves staying at a Travelodge in Barking with his young daughter.
Throughout their stay, his daughter repeatedly approached a particular hotel room. When they were subsequently moved, Chapman recalls waking during the night to find his daughter staring into a corner.
She claimed to see a little girl sitting there, describing her mouth as being sewn shut.
Chapman says his daughter, now a teenager, still remembers the encounter clearly.
He also recalls seeing what appeared to be a mysterious woman standing at the foot of his bed while living in a converted former care home in Braintree.
Whether supernatural or simply unexplained experiences, the stories offer a very different side to a man usually associated with physical confrontations.
The Traumatic Reality of Life as a Doorman
Despite his reputation for toughness, Chapman opens up about experiences that have stayed with him for decades.
He recalls witnessing several horrific road accidents, including a fatal bus crash and another incident involving a burning vehicle.
One particular accident continues to affect him years later.
Chapman explains how memories of the scene would suddenly enter his mind while watching television, eating dinner or working.
The conversation highlights the psychological impact of witnessing traumatic events, especially during a period when emotional support was rarely discussed within the security industry.
It’s one of the episode’s most revealing moments, showing that even someone accustomed to dangerous situations can carry lasting emotional scars.
Undercover Security at London’s Most Violent McDonald’s
Chapman’s career wasn’t limited to nightclub doors.
He also recalls working security at a McDonald’s in Shepherd’s Bush, where violence and theft were regular problems.
After negotiating a rate of £30 an hour, Chapman found himself dealing with fights, hidden weapons and serious disturbances.
He later undertook undercover work at another McDonald’s near the Strand, monitoring thieves targeting customers’ belongings.
The unusual assignment came with an unexpected problem. Regular customers began recognising Chapman and asking for photographs, making his undercover role increasingly difficult.
He also discusses phone theft techniques and how criminals target distracted members of the public.
It’s an interesting connection to the modern problem of mobile phone robberies across London, which Chapman and Terry Stone discuss in detail.
Armed Robbery and Dangerous Encounters in South Africa
One of Chapman’s most frightening experiences happened while working in personal security in South Africa.
He explains how he travelled overseas to help protect a wealthy American client.
Despite the attractive earnings, Chapman admits he never felt comfortable with the assignment.
He recalls encounters with dangerous wildlife, including snakes, baboons and nearby lions, alongside the threat of violent crime.
The situation became particularly serious when armed robbers entered the property and stole jewellery and other belongings.
According to Chapman, the attackers were teenagers carrying rifles.
Following the robbery, he was assigned to guard his client’s room while armed, an experience that reinforced his discomfort with the job.
The National Eviction Team and a Secret Cannabis Operation
Another fascinating chapter of Chapman’s career involves his work with the National Eviction Team.
During one assignment, Chapman and his colleagues entered an abandoned school and discovered what he describes as an enormous cannabis-growing operation.
The building had reportedly been converted into a production facility, complete with growing equipment, accommodation and dangerous electrical connections.
Chapman also discusses removing squatters from abandoned properties.
Interestingly, he expresses sympathy for some of the people he encountered, particularly those who had nowhere else to live.
He recalls helping one man move his belongings during an eviction, despite objections from other members of the team.
It’s another reminder that Chapman’s personality cannot be summed up by his reputation alone.
A Violent Attack, Court Case and Narrow Escape
Towards the end of the episode, Chapman revisits an incident in Southend that left him with severe facial injuries.
He describes being attacked outside a nightclub following an earlier dispute involving several individuals.
The injuries were extensive, with Chapman recalling serious cuts to his face, nose and ear.
Months later, he found himself arrested in connection with a separate violent attack on individuals involved in the dispute.
Chapman maintains that he was elsewhere when the incident happened and describes how the case against him eventually collapsed following inconsistencies in witness evidence.
Believing he might receive a lengthy prison sentence, he had already given away possessions and made arrangements for life behind bars.
His account of leaving court, uncertain about what had just happened, is among the episode’s most dramatic stories.
The Man Behind the Reputation
For all the unbelievable incidents discussed throughout Lee Chapman’s third Criminal Connection appearance, the episode finishes on a particularly emotional note.
Chapman reflects on the friendships that have remained important throughout his life and the support he received following the death of his son.
He also acknowledges that his son was responsible for encouraging him to appear on Terry Stone’s podcast in the first place.
What began as a single interview eventually became a three-part journey through Chapman’s extraordinary life.
With stories involving Tony Tucker, the Essex Boys, armed robberies and some of Britain’s toughest nightclubs, the latest episode offers another fascinating insight into an era of British criminal history.
Watch Lee Chapman Part Three on the Criminal Connection Podcast, exclusively on The Terry Stone Connection, and discover the stories behind one of the show’s most memorable guests.
