Page "Oliver Reed" Paragraph 15

Reed was known for his excessive drinking, and there are numerous anecdotes such as Reed and 36 friends drinking in an evening, 60 gallons of beer, 32 bottles of Scotch, 17 bottles of gin, four crates of wine, and one bottle of Babycham.

He subsequently revised the story, claiming he drank 106 pints of beer on a two-day binge before marrying Josephine ; " The event that was reported actually took place during an arm-wrestling competition in Guernsey about 15 years ago, it was highly exaggerated.

" Steve McQueen told the story that in 1973 he flew to the UK to discuss a film project with Reed and suggested the two men visit a London nightclub.

They ended up on a marathon pub crawl during which Reed vomited on McQueen.

Reed's face had been scarred 10 years previously during a 1963 bar fight after which he received 63 stitches and was in danger of having his film career terminated in his 20s.