Big Guy

Big Guy tells the story of Marcus Redwood, widely known as the UK's most notorious nightclub doorman. Over a career spanning around 40 years, he had an estimated 3,000 fights on the doors of clubs and pubs in Southern England, and knocked out approximately 1,000 men, never losing in a one-on-one confrontation throughout his entire door work.

Growing up on a small farm near the seaside town of Ramsgate, Marcus was subjected to vicious bullying at every school he attended. Angry and frustrated by the violence and intimidation he endured, he eventually resolved never to be bullied again and took up boxing.

After his first unofficial door work for the landlord of his local pub when he was 16 (in return for free beer), his formal door security work started at age 18 — no training, uniforms, radios or metal detectors. He worked during the day cutting down trees for the local council, and at night on the doors of clubs and pubs. He was 6ft2ins and weighed 19.5 stone in his prime.

Guns and knives were an ever-present danger to Marcus. Troublemakers who were thrown out of clubs often threatened to return with guns or knives; and some actually did. A stranger thrown out of a club might be a gangster or part of a gangster family. There was always a risk of revenge and retribution. Marcus was the target of London hitmen outside his home, who tried to shoot and kill him.

Well-known underworld friends and acquaintances during Marcus's career included the Kray twins, Freddie Foreman, Frankie Fraser and the 'celebrity gangster' Dave Courtney. Looking back on his 40-year career on the doors, Marcus has not only been involved in thousands of fights, but he has also seen the best and worst of the club world, and even the tragic loss of life. He worked with some of the very best and very worst doormen. He has escaped death. His life story is not only fascinating and entertaining; it is an inspirational story of persistence battling against all the odds and living to tell the tale.