22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Paul Weller shares terrifying moment he was attacked by lion on the way to a gig
The former frontman with The Jam said he was getting a lift in his dad's pal Ronnie's van - who kept the beast as a pet
Paul Weller has revealed he was attacked by a lion whilst travelling to a performance. The ex-Jam frontman revealed he was hitching a ride in his father's mate Ronnie's van - who housed the wild animal as a companion.
John Weller had enlisted his friend's help when his son's group needed transport to a Surrey show, with the big cat already aboard. Paul, 67, explained: "Yeah, I mean, it wasn't fully grown at that point.
"Yeah, so Ronnie would drive the van and the lion would sit in the passenger seat. You couldn't get too comfortable, though.
"You had to watch that. Because one time, we were sitting in the back and I leant on the back of the passenger seat. Next thing I know, the f***ing lion's gone for me.
"He f***ing went for me! I nearly s*** myself, man. Attacked by a lion!".
The You Do Something To Me vocalist said he had to endure another journey with the creature on the return trip. He quipped: "Well, Ronnie just dropped us off and came back later. With the lion, yeah.", reports the Daily Star.
"He kept it for a few years and then I think he had to give it up because it was getting too big... you know, once the neighbours started disappearing.."
Paul also told Uncut magazine that whilst he continues releasing fresh material, he's content to step back from live performances for the time being. The Modfather said he's cherishing precious moments with his second wife Hannah and their three youngsters John Paul, Bowie and Nova.
He confessed: "I'm just enjoying spending more time with the kids and the feeling of not panicking every morning, waking up and thinking, 'Where are we tonight?', stomach churning.
"I just need a break from that. You know what? I just think it'll always be like that. I was talking to Johnny Marr and he said the same thing. Every time you wake up, you're anxious and prickly."
Only last month, there were reports of a large predatory cat lurking near Ed Sheeran's rural retreat. The 'Perfect' singer resides in this secluded spot with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters.
However, a black panther-like creature was sighted in the countryside, alarmingly close at less than five miles from Sheeran's estate. A local managed to capture the creature on their mobile phone camera. The sighting occurred in the town of Eye, situated north of Ipswich in Suffolk.
Matt Salusbury, who curates the Big Cats of Suffolk website, relayed: "The witness told me they'd seen a large black animal walking up and down along the tree line at the end of a field behind their garden.
"The distance from where they were to the animal when they photographed it was a good few minutes walk. They observed it for more than five minutes before it sat down with its head up."
The images depict a sizeable, dark figure skulking by the trees. Then, the mysterious animal disappeared from view.
This eerie encounter took place on April 23 but has only recently been disclosed. In an earlier incident, growling noises had been heard around Mendlesham, a village in the vicinity.
