I think Sly was panicking a bit but one of our guys told him, ‘Put your hand in the back of my belt and hold your girlfriend’s hand and I will get you both through the crowd. On August 31, 1997, the “People’s Princess” was famously killed in a car crash in Paris, prompting an unprecedented worldwide outpouring of grief. It was purely by chance that Sansum was not assigned to look after the couple as they spent time in Paris at the end of August 1997. He then used his eye contact and bulk to force his way through while Rambo followed, holding onto his belt.

Sansum Martial Arts Instructors - Elgin - Sansum Martial Arts

In an exclusive interview, Lee has told how security guards drew straws to accompany bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones in the car, and he lost.

Lee was not in the car or the tunnel the night of Diana’s accident, but his friend and fellow bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones was, and was the only survivor of the accident. This is the story of the real bodyguard, Lee Sansum, ex-Royal Military Policeman, martial arts champion, and expert in close protection. Lee, a martial arts expert, tried to teach William and Harry how to kickbox, but they were too apprehensive.

Lee Sansum to host signing of book The Bodyguard Elgin author Lee Sansum to host signing of book The Bodyguard

And 25 years on from her death, Lee Sansum says he is adamant she would be alive today if he had been with her on the night she died alongside Dodi Fayed in a Paris car crash on August 31, 1997.There may be another book signing to follow, with a documentary covering Lee's work as bodyguard for Princess Diana coming later this year. Sansum protected Diana during her 1997 St Tropez trip but was not chosen when the security team decided who would ride with Diana that fateful night. The poor woman got slagged off for everything she did—even when it was really normal stuff like working out to stay fit, the press gave her grief about that too. The book offers Lee's account of what it's like to work with the rich and famous in a high-pressure job where lives are at stake.