Latest news with #AnthonyLees
News.com.au
30-06-2025
- News.com.au
Aussie YouTuber Spanian ‘almost dies' on Mount Everest
Popular Australian YouTuber Anthony Lees – better known as Spanian – has revealed he came terrifyingly close to death during a recent trip to Mount Everest. The former Sydney gangster-turned-internet sensation, known for his food and travel vlogs and no-nonsense storytelling, was rescued by an emergency helicopter after falling ill while attempting to explore the mountain range. The 38-year-old told viewers of hit most recent travel vlog that he'd flown to the Himalayas on a whim – and quickly learned that the world's highest mountain doesn't take kindly to shortcuts. 'I just wanted to see what it was all about,' he said in a clip documenting the experience. 'So I booked a private chopper to take me to the top. No trek, no camp and no acclimatising.' Mount Everest, which stands at a staggering 8849 metres above sea level, straddles the Nepal-Tibet border and attracts thousands of ambitious climbers every year. While summating the peak takes months of intense training and planning, even visiting base camp – located at 5346 metres – can be dangerous without proper acclimation. Altitude sickness can occur as low as 2500 metres, with symptoms ranging from headaches and nausea to potentially fatal complications. Most travellers will spend several days – if not weeks – gradually ascending to allow their bodies to adapt. But Spanian skipped all of that entirely. Instead, chartering a helicopter straight to 3000 metres to check into the Everest View Hotel, one of the highest-altitude hotels in the world – all while wearing a pair of shorts and Adidas joggers. After arriving, things quickly took a sharp turn. 'I feel light-headed,' he said immediately after exiting the helicopter. Within the hour, the YouTuber said he couldn't get out of bed, was struggling to breathe and felt freezing cold. 'It's getting way worse. I can't breathe properly, my head hurts and I'm freezing,' he said. 'I tried to send a voice note to one of my staff and I got a little bit scared, I had a panic attack.' At one point, he attempted to walk a nearby trail to a town but was forced to sit down only minutes into the journey. 'I'm weak and unstable, I could die,' he told viewers. Back at the hotel, staff measured his oxygen saturation level, where it came back at a worryingly low level of 83 per cent. Safe levels typically range between 95 and 100 per cent. 'I want to go down the mountain right now, I need to get out of here, I almost passed out,' he said. An emergency helicopter was then called to evacuate him down to 2,500 metres, where his symptoms began to ease. 'I'm actually really upset now, I was going into some sort of collapse,' he said after arriving back at his hotel in Kathmandu. Viewers were quick to voice their frustration with the experience, branding it complete 'ignorance.' 'This was frustrating to watch. The collective ignorance of Spanian and his management and the complete lack of responsibility by the tour company was mind-blowing,' said one. '83 per cent blood oxygen level would warrant an admission into the emergency department in normal circumstances,' noted another. 'This is not something you can just decide to do, let alone by yourself. Takes a lot of preparation, training and practice,' wrote a third. 'Your team needs a serious talking to. This was a huge blunder with a potentially critical ending,' agreed a fourth. The death toll for Mount Everest is higher than any mountain with at least 322 deaths since 1922.
Daily Mail
31-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
YouTube star Spanian's surprising response to arsonists who targeted his kebab truck in Melbourne
YouTuber Spanian's foray into the Melbourne food scene seems to have ruffled a few feathers with one of his kebab trucks targeted by arsonists. Firefighters were called to Bell Street in Preston about 4am on Saturday following reports the truck had been set alight using flammable liquid. The blaze was extinguished and the damage confined to the trailer, which had been moved to the site in early May ahead of a grand opening on May 16, which Spanian, 38, said was 'the biggest turnout we've ever had'. The ex-career criminal, turned filmmaker and entrepreneur - whose name is actually Anthony Lees - launched Spanian's kebabs in Sydney which has since expanded to multiple locations. In a video shared to his social media on Saturday, he seemed unfazed by the attack. 'They burnt the front wall, but it's not an issue, there's another truck already on the way,' he said. 'We've got a factory of trucks, we'll get this one rewrapped.' He then explained it is locals, not him, who owns the trucks. 'I just want to get that out there. The trucks are part of your community, and those people from your community save up for these trucks and they have to pay for it. They're your people,' he said. He then changed the subject to his successful Melbourne launch and suggested competitors might have been responsible. 'I thought Spanian's Kebabs were shit. Well guess whose kebabs they're trying to burn down?,' he said. 'Guess who's got the best kebabs in Australia? Melbourne will be back open soon.' The Sydneysider has built a large online fanbase following a rocky start in life. Spanian spent a total of 13 years in prison before the age of 30 for various offences including a ram raid on an ATM, assaults and drug distribution. After his release, he briefly tried his hand at a career as a drill rapper before finding a large audience posting videos on YouTube. He released an autobiography in 2021, but it was quickly dropped by his publisher over controversial comments he made about the LGBTQI+ World Pride events, claiming that an agenda was being pushed to children.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Humble owner of beloved Sydney takeaway shop is given a $5,000 tip
The owner of a humle takeaway shop was left speechless when YouTuber Spanian handed him thousands of dollars in cash. Spanian, an ex-con-turned-popular-vlogger, whose real name is Anthony Lees, uploaded a video on May 11 testing out three food spots to see who had the best burger and chips. The contenders were Sunny's Takeaway in Chifley, Waterloo Takeaway Food Shop, and Daily Fresh Lunch Bar in Alexandria. In the end, it was the Waterloo Takeaway Food Shop in Sydney 's south that took the crown, thanks to its great food and the warm service from its owner, affectionately known as 'Chicken George'. 'You're very, very good burgers, very good prices, and you're very friendly,' Spanian said. 'I'm going to give you a tip,' he told the man before handing him $5,000 in cash. As Lees counted out $100 bills, George could be seen shaking his head with a smile: 'No you don't have to... I didn't expect this.' At one point, he appeared to try and hand Lees back the pile of $100 bills, but Spanian insisted that he take the money. Locals in the Waterloo suburb leapt on the comments to celebrate the moment for 'humble' owner of the takeaway, 'Chicken George' (pictured, right) The takeaway, which doesn't have a sign, was empty during Lees' video but had people queuing a few days after the vlog was published A few days after the video was published, Spanian returned to the takeaway shop - and found it buzzing with customers lined up for food. 'He has been getting packed with customers coming for the burger since the video came out on Sunday and he is spinning out,' the YouTuber said. The takeaway appeared to have a personal connection Spanian, who described it as an 'old staple'. 'I don't know if it's been the same owner the whole time, but this place has been there since I was a kid,' he said. 'I haven't been there for for ages, literally years, but it's still there.' Locals took to the comments to celebrate the win for a local legend, with many previously customers describing him as 'humble'. '20+ yrs I've known Chicken George always the same still remembers us when we turn up. Nobody deserves it more. He has so much respect in that hood,' a user said. Another said: 'This stores around the corner from my place and has been here for a long time. I'm so glad Spanian chose this guy for the win. Much deserved. 'He's a good man, puts up with a lot yet is always friendly, attentive and provides outstanding service to his customers. Much respect to you Spanian.' People also praised the YouTuber for taking the time to spotlight local food places.
