Car-jacking ordeal for theatre producer returning to his roots

Theatre producer David King, originally from Leeds, feared for his life after a thief “smashed out of his brains” stole the car he was in and sped off.

The 56-year-old, worth an estimated £20m, returned to his home city to give cash to good causes for the Channel Four show, which will air on Monday.

He was left shocked after being car-jacked: “I was badly shaken, but glad to be alive. This could have ended so differently. I feel so lucky.”

Mr King – the man behind the Spirit of the Dance show – has theatres in the US and claims to be the biggest employer of dancers in Europe. He swapped the high life for a terraced house in Beeston, one of Leeds’ more deprived suburbs, while he filmed the show.

After a charity night he got into the passenger seat of a VW Golf in Hunslet, Leeds and was waiting for a member of the production crew when the thief pounced.

“What was happening didn’t quite register at the time, but I soon realised the guy was high on drugs and reeked of booze, and I was being hijacked,” he recalled.

“I was petrified. The guy was smashed out of his brains and had just screeched off the car park at 60 miles an hour, nearly hitting the television crew.

“I was pleading with him to let me out. All I could think was that I had to get out of the car. I shouted repeatedly let me out let me out. He screamed back ‘shut up or I will kill you’.”

He managed to escape when the car-jacker slammed on the brakes to avoid a head-on smash. “I threw open the door and flung myself out.”

Mr King’s car-jacking ordeal took place late one November evening last year, said a West Yorkshire Police spokesman.

The car was taken on Moor Road in Hunslet, Leeds. The VW Golf was found abandoned about half-a-mile away in Hillidge Road. It is thought the incident lasted less than five minutes.

The spokesman said: “Shortly before 11pm on 9th November, 2011, police were called to reports of a car theft from a premises on Moor Road, Hunslet, Leeds.

“A man was sat in the passenger seat as the suspect made off in the vehicle but was able to get out a short time later.

“The car was subsequently recovered from Hillidge Road, Hunslet soon after the incident.”

The male suspect was described as drunk at the time, in his mid- 30s, around 6ft to 6ft 2ins tall, of slim/athletic build with blondish shaven hair.

During his visit to Leeds Mr King – who counts Sir Elton John and Lionel Ritchie as personal friends – saw how some of Leeds’ poorest residents live.

Mr King, who now lives with his 30-year-old ex-chorus line dancer girlfriend in Monaco, was happy to put his hand in his pocket after meeting “some amazing people” while pretending to research a musical.

One group to be given cash was the Dazl Diamonds dance troupe, who got money to pay for new equipment.

And hospital fundraiser Harry Clements, who believed producers were making a programme about his achievements, was speechless when Mr King revealed his true identity and handed over a cheque.

“They kept it totally secret right up until the last day, he said. “I’m just an ordinary bloke who is giving a bit back.”

Yvonne Crowther, who has worked to stamp out anti-isocial behaviour on the Cardinals’ estate in Beeston, got cash for a new community cafe that will offer job opportunities to young people. She said: “Because of this we are going to be able to help so many people in so many different ways.”