Court tribute made my eyes water, says 'superfan' with Diana's name painted across his face

Last updated at 22:43 31 March 2008


john loughrey

Court tribute: Self-confessed Diana 'superfan' John Loughrey

He has got up at 4.30am 89 times to secure his seat in the public gallery.

And yesterday, self-confessed Diana "superfan" John Loughrey got his reward.

Mr Loughrey, who has attended every day of the inquest at the High Court with "Diana" and later "Dodi" painted on his face, was given a special mention by Lord Justice Scott Baker.

Mr Loughrey, who gave up his job as a chef at a golf club, spent his 53rd birthday in court on March 10.

He let out his flat in South London and moved in with his sister Geraldine to help ends meet during the hearing.

He could spare little time yesterday to talk about the coroner's comments as he was determined not to miss one second of the inquest.

But he was clearly delighted at the recognition.

"They were very kind words - very touching," he told the Mail during the court break. "It made my eyes water.

"It has been a marathon for me and it is history. I have been a Diana supporter for many years.

"I have always thought it was a tragic accident, but I am here for the truth."

He said his determination to be at the inquest came after a "moment of revelation" last September - just after the tenth anniversary of Diana's death - when he felt four fingers rest on his left shoulder as he stood outside Kensington Palace.

"I knew it was Diana - I've never felt so close before," he said.

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"So I knew what I had to do for her, whatever it took. All I want is to see that the truth will out.

"And it's terribly-gripping. I've always been a Diana fan, but last year I woke up one day and decided to paint her name on my forehead - it just felt right."

Mr Loughrey explained that for the first month, he had only "Diana" on his face.

But on November 6, Mohamed Al Fayed asked him if he would write his son's name on there too - and he obliged.

His sister paints on the two names every night, because she refuses to get up early enough to do it in the morning, and Mr Loughrey lies on his back all night so her efforts will not smudge.

The question is, what will he do when the inquest finishes in a few days?

"First I'll go on holiday with my sister," he says. "Somewhere warm that will be good for my bones."

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