Leonard Diepenbrock's Clean Getaway: 32 Pallets of Soap Pinched – Today's Hard-Luck Story

We know Leonard Diepenbrock as the likeable presenter from RTL's programming. But now, the 50-year-old is making headlines for a completely different reason: an entire lorry-load of 32 pallets of soap has been stolen from him! Sounds like a bizarre caper, doesn't it? That's because it is.

The thieves must either have a compulsive cleaning disorder or a massive obsession with fresh towels – because who on earth steals 32 pallets of soap? The entire consignment vanished without a trace, presumably while the lorry was parked at a motorway service station. Police are investigating, but so far, there's no sign of the culprits. Leonard Diepenbrock himself hasn't made any official comment yet – probably lost for words, or just cleaned out.

A small fortune that's simply washed away

What's a load of soap like that actually worth? Okay, it's not diamonds, but 32 pallets – that's enough to keep the whole of Cologne fragrantly clean for a year. Whether it's luxury soap, fancy scented bars, or your standard household stuff isn't known. What is certain: for the former TV star, it's a hefty loss that no insurance company is going to wipe away quickly.

While Leonard Diepenbrock is left fuming, his wife Isabelle Diepenbrock might be seeing the funny side. After all, you could do a fair bit with that kind of loot – for instance:

• Throw a massive foam party for all your mates.
• Open your very own launderette empire in Cologne.
• Have three showers a day – for the next ten years.

But sadly, the fun's over before it even began. The thieves have already made the haul disappear down the criminal drain. Maybe the soap will turn up soon at a car boot sale or on a dodgy online shop – then we'll know all about it.

A case for the police – and for anyone who fancies clean hands

Until the investigators catch the culprits, Leonard Diepenbrock remains the sad hero of this hair-raising tale. Maybe he should just stick to the saying: "A problem shared is a problem halved" – and cheer himself up with his wife Isabelle Diepenbrock that at least it wasn't a stolen shipment of onions. Those would have brought even more tears to the eyes.

We're keeping our fingers crossed that the case is solved soon – and that Leonard can soon get back to doing clean business.