Leigh Francis, the 53-year-old comedian best known for his alter ego Keith Lemon, has shared a shocking facial injury inflicted by an over-excited fan's long fingernail. The incident occurred while he was DJing at the Sound Bites festival in Syon Park, where his energetic performance led to an unexpected and painful encounter.
The Incident
Taking to social media, Francis explained what happened. 'Oh, hello. I've just got back to my room, been DJing. Went into the crowd, and someone was overcome with joy, so that was a nice feeling. So she went: "I love you!" and put her hands towards my face and her thumbnail, which was quite long… did that,' he said. He then turned his head to reveal an angry, red gash running from his hairline down to his eye, missing his eye by mere millimetres.
With shock in his voice, he added: 'Could've been worse, could've gone in my eye but yeah bit of a naughty one that, innit?' In the caption, he wrote: 'I guess I've gotta stop going into the crowd. Gonna have to put a bit of vinegar on pet. Stinger!'
Reactions from Friends and Fans
The video drew a wave of sympathy from horrified friends and fans. Friend Stephen Paulson commented: 'Blimey! Even I didn't do that with you and I had Wolverine claws! Heal fast mate!' Jason Penny Cooke joked: 'Jesus, what was she, Edwina Scissor Hands?' Others expressed concern, with Dolls writing: 'Omg Leigh that's awful,' and P21cey echoing: 'Jeeez! Pal, I hope you're ok.' AndreaR added: 'Ouch! I'm glad you are OK!'
Follow-Up Video as Avid Merrion
Francis later posted a follow-up video in character as Avid Merrion, another of his alter egos, documenting a day at the festival with a heavy focus on his 'war wound.' At one point, he jokingly pointed to a woman and declared: 'This is the lady that clawed my face with overexcitement.' Recounting the incident, he said 'all the joy left [his] body' and advised festival attendees not to get 'too drunk' when having a good time. He quipped that he looked like a 'sexy action man' and joked that next time he would perform as The Bear, a character no one would dare mess with.
Career and Future Plans
Leigh has been focusing on live comedy and music in recent years, and despite the physical dangers, seems committed to this path. In September, he revealed he 'doesn't know' if he'll ever return to TV after ITV cancelled Celebrity Juice in 2022. He said: 'Juice will never come back… someone asked me when I'm back on TV and I said I don't know. I did say it's pretty difficult doing things these days without offending people.' He added that he has ideas but noted: 'I don't think comedy is commissioned as easily as back in the day.'
