A campaign has been launched to help 'free' one of Glasgow's most well-loved characters, Leo the Silent Raver so he can return to doing what he is famous for - dancing on the city centre streets.
Leo, who has a brain injury, has been living in a care home in the city for the past nine years, and prior to the Covid pandemic could be spotted almost every day out dancing in and around Buchanan Street.
But the pandemic means that he is forbidden from leaving the home, leading close friend Guy Beaton to launch the campaign to bring Leo's plight to the attention of the wider public - most of whom will have seen Leo out and about over the years.
He told Glasgow Live: "Leo's in a care home in Glasgow at the moment and has been unable to leave. It's not fair on him. He can't really talk to anyone as he doesn't really have anyone in there and nobody is listening to him at all.
"He isn't even allowed to go out. There's nothing wrong with him. Before Covid and lockdown he was out every single day and now he's stuck in the care home because of his brain injury.
"He's been in this care home for nine years and was allowed to go out whenever he wanted. He's not in with any vulnerable people or elderly people - it's not as if he is mixing with them."
Guy is worried that Leo's inability to dance on the streets means he can't "keep his mind off stuff".
"It's a shame. He's been on the phone to me for three or four hours sometimes. They've taken away his liberty. I'm trying to raise awareness and make people see that not everyone in care homes is vulnerable or elderly. There are people who are in there for different reasons.
"He has raised money for loads of people and never asks for anything in return. All he wants to do is go back out onto the streets and dance again. That's what he really wants."
Leo gave Guy permission to share his story with Glasgow Live and hopes he'll be able to hit the city streets - at a safe social distance - again soon.
