John Lennon’s ‘intense love affair’ abroad with Beatles manager Brian Epstein laid bare

The Beatles were discovered by Brian Epstein in 1961 in Liverpool, UK, after he took an unexpected visit into the city’s Cavern Club. His tutelage kickstarted the Fab Four’s incredible career that spanned the globe and decades of success.

But Epstein, who died 55 years ago this week on August 27, 1967, reportedly held a strong infatuation with one of the band’s biggest stars: John Lennon.

Epstein was gay. A trait that – in the 1960s – was not well-received by society. But it didn’t bother The Beatles, who appreciated his work as their dutiful manager.

On April 28, 1963, Epstein took Lennon on a 12-day holiday to Barcelona, Spain, where their connection grew deeper than ever.

Looking back on their time together, Lennon confessed their relationship reached unexpected lengths.

He said: “It was almost a love affair, but not quite. It was never consummated. But it was a pretty intense relationship.”

Shotton claimed Lennon said: “What harm did it do, then? No harm at all. The poor f*****g b*****d, he can’t help the way he is.”

Years after Lennon’s death, on December 8, 1980, his wife, Yoko Ono, spoke candidly about his sexuality.

She alluded to the star having been secretly bisexual.

On having sex with another man, Ono said he wanted to, but wouldn’t.

Ono said: “I think he had a desire to [sleep with a man], but I think he was too inhibited.”

She added: “No, not inhibited. He said: ‘I don’t mind if there’s an incredibly attractive guy.’ It’s very difficult: They would have to be not just physically attractive, but mentally very advanced too. And you can’t find people like that.”

Ono also said: “The beginning of the year he was killed, he said to me: ‘I could have done it, but I can’t because I just never found somebody that was that attractive.’ Both John and I were into attractiveness – you know, beauty.”