RIP, Lionel

I see that Lionel Blair has died, aged 92.

Many years ago I had a chance encounter with the dancer, choreographer and all round entertainer when we briefly shared a table outside a cafe at Kings Cross station in London.

Clutching a cup of coffee he caught my eye and asked, very politely, if he could smoke. “Of course,” I replied, and continued reading my magazine.

A number of things went through my head but I didn't want to invade his privacy so I kept quiet, finished my own drink and eventually stood up to leave.

Before I walked away however I handed him my business card which read: 'Simon Clark, director, Forest, voice and friend of the smoker'.

The following day I contacted his agent, explained what had happened, and asked if we could interview him for the Forest magazine Free Choice. (I had the headline already: 'Blair's Britain'.)

“Sorry,” I was told. “Lionel feels guilty about smoking. He doesn't like to talk about it.”

That was 21 years ago.

In 2017, discussing his health, he told the Daily Mail, “I know that I shouldn’t [smoke]” which suggests he hadn’t given up although I have also read that he quit five years ago when he was 87.

Either way he lived longer than most. How sad though that he spent so much of his life feeling guilty about a habit that, when he was young, was completely normal and would never have been commented upon.

Rest in peace, Lionel.