Houghton Barbie collector 'no longer ashamed'

For 20 years, Lee Eley has secretly collected everything Barbie.

With the release of the movie earlier in the year, Barbie fever swept the world, but Lee Eley from Houghton-le-Spring was ahead of the curve with his collection of 1,000 Barbies (and her friends).

Before its release, his memorabilia was something that he hid behind, but he is now telling the world why Barbie "brings out the best in him".

He said: "This is the first time in my life that I've not been ashamed about it."

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