Lots of people will have opinions about Bill Leak the public figure but I can tell you that Bill Leak the friend was peerless. You could never meet a more loyal, generous person. He told me all the time that he loved me, he encouraged me in my work, he supported me in my family and he could tell stories that made me laugh until I nearly wet my pants. And how many artists who hang in the National Portrait Gallery would spend an afternoon painting a three year old's favourite toy? He was a massive personality, never somebody who could do anything by halves. He was all in, all the time. People think of him as a right-winger now but they forget that ten years ago, he was a darling of the left. His intensity could be tiring to be around (for Bill too, I assure you) but he was never boring. Bunny has pride of place in my sons' bedroom and it's always been special but now it is irreplacable, like the man who painted it.
