Jack Hadaway-Weller

A FORMER Hollywood stuntman now living in Ashford has had his autobiography published.

Papa Spyk, who was in films such as American Ninja, Tropical Heat and Red Scorpion has charted his experiences in his book A Naughty Thing Called Life.

Belgian, Spyk – real name Edouard Gheur – documents his journey from Belgium to South Africa from the age of 6, then Florida and the UK as an adult.

The muscleman, 48, did a ten-year stint as a professional rugby player for South African team the Lions. He also played for the American national team after he moved to Florida aged 15.

Spyk, who picked up his nickname from his South African rugby mates, spent time as a model employed by companies such as Diesel, Calvin Klein, Ray-Ban and Harley Davidson.

The star, who is now living in South Willesborough, said: "There was one point in my life when I wouldn't get out of bed for less than ten grand a day."

A large part of Spyk's book is dedicated to his medical experiences. He has undergone four open heart operations, one plunging him into an eight-week coma where his weight plummeted from 18st to just 9st. The operations were necessary after he suffered multiple heart attacks in 1997 brought on by his past steroid and cocaine abuse.

Despite waking from the coma the dad of one was told by doctors he may have to have his legs amputated. Spyk defied the prognosis by relearning how to walk with gruelling four-hour sessions of physiotherapy every day for two-and-a-half years.

The book, which was completed earlier this year, was created after a therapist recommended that Spyk record his story as part of his treatment for depression.

He said: "It was just a diary that I would write down what had happened. My psychiatrist said it was the best form of therapy.

"Before that I had never written a word in my life. For four or five years I wrote for about two hours a day."

Spyk kept the diary to himself, but after showing a few friends he decided that he should publish with the aim of warning others about the dangers of drugs.

He said: "I have published my book to show people that drugs can kill you. The moral of the story is I never ever did anything in my past out of malice to anyone, but I have been extremely irresponsible and reckless to myself.

"I loved living on the edge. It made me feel alive. Having been so damn close to death has made me so aware of everything around me.

"I appreciate all of this and I will never, as long as I live, take anything or anyone for granted.

"If I can make a difference to one person's life, I will be one happy man."

The book, which was self-published through Xlibris on July 14, is available to buy direct from Xlibris at www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk or from Amazon. Spyk has also started a blog about his experiences which has gathered just under 35,000 views from internet users.

For more about Spyk go to http://papaspyk.blogspot.com/