IT takes a lot to surprise a footballer who's turned out for 24 different clubs across ten tiers of the English football pyramid. But for veteran striker Leroy Lita, there is one day he'll never forget. Lita kicked off his career on the books of Chelsea's academy and has turned out for the likes of Reading, Middlesbrough and Swansea, as well as a swathe of non-league teams.
![[Soccer player Leroy Lita celebrates a goal.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/leroy-lita-reading-celebrates-fifth-374182546.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Now at seventh tier Barwell, aged 40, Lita has opened up on some of his most hilarious stories from his decades-long playing career. And topping the list? Cilla Black giving him the surprise, surprise of his life by walking in on him naked. Lita told The Times: “My first experience [at Reading] was walking in with the chairman and Cilla Black.
![[Cilla Black and John Madejski at a Viva Forever after-party.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/embargoed-publication-uk-tabloid-newspapers-853394301.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“He walked past me like he didn’t know who I was, and he had just paid £1million out of his own pocket for me. "It wasn’t out of the club budget. He didn’t even know what I looked like and my agent had to tell him. "I was just shocked that he was with Cilla Black. I used to watch Blind Date and Surprise Surprise, and was like, ‘That’s her, isn’t it?!’.
![[Leroy Lita of England celebrating a goal.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/leroy-lita-england-celebrates-goal-3755553.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“She used to always come to our games and come into the changing room. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. "I remember playing Arsenal away, getting changed, I was naked. She was just there with a big smile.”. Talk about a Blind Date...
