Aunt’s letter reveals John Lennon was excited at UK return

Forty years ago today, on January 24, 1981, Lennon’s Aunt Mimi replied to a journalist who wrote to express her shock and offer condolences at the death of Lennon the month before, when he was gunned down outside his apartment by Mark Chapman.

Mimi Smith had raised Lennon in Liverpool from infancy and he later bought her a house in Poole for £25,000 after he found fame with the Rock band.

She lived at the bungalow called Harbour’s Edge in Panorama Road, Sandbanks, from 1965 until her death in 1991.

Mimi Smith with her nephew John Lennon

The home was flattened after her death to make way for a new property.

In her letter responding to Daily Express journalist Judith Simons, who knew Lennon throughout his career, she wrote: “Dear Judith, Thank you for your letter, kind thoughts.

“I’m trying to accept this terrible thing which has happened, but finding it very hard. He had such faith himself, I’m trying to do the same.

“He phoned the night before, witty, funny, bubbling over with excitement, coming over very soon. Couldn’t wait to see me. So I’m glad of that. If I’m in London, I’ll get in touch with you. Kind thoughts to you too. Mimi.”

The Sandbanks home of John Lennon's aunt Mimi Smith

Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn said: “Mimi’s letter provides solid confirmation that, but for his murder, Lennon would have returned to Britain during 1981 for the first time in 10 years, this knowledge supporting other indications he was considering a concert tour.”

The letter by aunt Mimi Smith. Picture: PA/Tracks Ltd

The letter from the estate of Judith Simons was recently discovered by Tracks Ltd, which gives free valuations of music memorabilia at we-buy-beatles.com