Toilet roll The Beatles refused to use could sell for £1,000 per sheet.

Beatles, the world’s most famous band once refused to use a toilet roll while recording their Abbey Road album, because they thought it was too “hard and shiny”.

The rock legends rejected the roll during the 1960s as it also had EMI stamped on every sheet.

The object came to light after Beatles fan Barry Thomas snapped up the toilet roll at an auction complete with a letter from EMI manager Ken Townsend.

 

Experts tried to evaluate the toilet roll last week, but told Barry Thomas they could not price such an odd object. Since then, Thomas has been offered £1,000 just for one sheet of the toilet roll.

Barry Thomas, 66, a grand-father of three bought the unique item of memorabilia in 1980 along with a famous picture that had hung at the studio throughout the Beatles’ time there.

He bought the roll, which came with a jokey letter of authentication by Ken Townsend for £85.

The letter, which is signed by Ken Townsend, reads:

“Most things went very smoothly with the Beatles at Abbey Road – but not this roll of toilet paper which they complained was too hard and shiny.

“They thought it disgraceful that the management should stamp each sheet of paper with EMI Ltd.

“The paper was immediately withdrawn and things became much smoother for staff after that.”

Barry Thomas, who at the time ran a recording studio in Coventry, Warks, said:

 “I went along to the auction as I was a Beatles fan, I mean who couldn’t be?

“I saw the roll and I just loved it, it seemed like such an original and unique thing to have.”

“People have the memories and the signed records and pictures and stuff, but no one else can say they have a toilet roll John Lennon rejected,” Thomas added.

“It wasn’t the only thing John specifically complained about in the studios, he also hated the lock on the freezer, so he had a few odd hates.

“At the time it caused a load of interest, the trade for band memorabilia hadn’t taken off then like it has today, even ABC from America wanted to interview me there and then at the auction.

“They asked me why I bought it and I didn’t know what to say, but then it came to me and I told them <<to wipe away all the crap you guys write about our industry>> and they loved that.”

Soon after making the purchase Barry Thomas, who still lives in Coventry with his wife of 45 years, Margarita, was approached by a wealthy collector who wanted a piece of the action.

“This Japanese Beatles memorabilia collector cam up to me,” said Barry Thomas.

“He offered me a thousand pounds for one piece of the roll, just one piece.

“I told him I wouldn’t sell him it, I didn’t want to unroll it, but also I felt it would be less special if it was shared across the world.

“Now I’m thinking about selling it, I had the idea that I could split the whole roll now and sell it off in pieces.

“I say I’ll do that, but to be honest I reckon when I try I won’t be able to bring myself to. The Japanese collector has approached me again and I’ve said no, but no one has been able to put an official value on it.”