Lionel was born in Dereham, Norfolk, England and worked as a Journalist in Cromer, before training as a Teacher. He was Further Education Tutor at Gamlingay Village College in Cambridgeshire until he was head-hunted to become the Chief Training Executive for the Phoenix Timber Group in Essex.
For over ten years he was Headmaster (Principal) of a big Comprehensive High School in Cardiff.
Lionel is President of ASSAP (The Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena) and Patricia is First Lady. Lionel is also the President of BUFORA (the British UFO Research Association) His showbiz career started with Anglia TV and BBC Look East way back in the 'fifties.
He's now a popular TV and Radio presenter and celebrity guest on chat shows. He's also a singer-songwriter with a CD album of Unsolved Mystery songs for Voice Print Records: Lionel's lead singer for John Downes and the Amphibians. He's also the author of over 250 books -- several of which I co-authored with him.
Lionel and Patricia
His qualifications include a Government Teaching Certificate from Cambridge University's Institute of Education with an Advanced Main Subject Distinction, an Upper Second Class BA Honours Degree, Fellowship of the College of Preceptors (equivalent to a Masters degree) and Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Management (equivalent to an MBA or an M.Sc in Management Science).
He's currently Director of Media Studies at Cardiff Academy.
He's a member of the Ghost Club, Mensa and the Welsh Academy.
Lionel, President of Jumbo GB, the bikers' charity which helps children with special needs.
As a former Harley Davidson owner currently riding a big Kawasaki 1500 Drifter, he's President of a Bikers' Charity called Jumbo, who take kids with special needs and their parents for fun days out. He's also a fully ordained Anglican Priest. He's a qualified weight-training instructor and a Dan Grade martial arts instructor.
He often works an eighteen hour day seven days a week - and he loves every minute of it!
I've been married to him since 1957, and I'm his agent, manager, business partner and PR exec as well! ~ PATRICIA FANTHORPE
