October 3, 2007 11:20

John Lennon photo found after 50 years

Photograph shows former Beatle at 17

A photograph of a teenage John Lennon has been unearthed after being locked in a cupboard for 50 years.

The photo was taken in 1958 when the former Beatle was 17 years old. It was unearthed on the BBC’s ’Inside Out North West’ show, which is set to be shown tonight (October 3) at 7.30pm.

In the snap he is wearing a camel-hair coat and sporting a quiff haircut.
Lennon is pictured on Livepool’s Lime Street with friend Nigel Walley who hadn't seen the photo for 50 years.

Walley said he gave the photo to his brother, who then believed it was stolen from his school desk.

He said: "Goodness knows where it got to since then. It’s very emotional for me seeing this photo again after all these years. John was a very good friend of mine. One thing I know John would have loved was seeing this photograph. It’s something I’ll always treasure now.

"I recognise my writing on the back of it. I’ve put 5 May, 1958. Lime Street. I haven’t a clue what we were doing then - just a couple of lads out in town larking about probably. But we look happy then."

Walley was also manager of The Quarrymen, the band which was the forerunner of The Beatles, reports BBC News.