Leonard Diepenbrock robbed: 32 pallets of soap stolen – the unluckiest person of the day

We know Leonard Diepenbrock as the likeable presenter from the RTL line-up. 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 need for cleanliness or a massive craving for fresh towels – because who on earth steals 32 pallets of soap? The entire shipment vanished without a trace, presumably while the lorry was parked at a motorway stop. Gardaí are investigating, but so far there's no sign of the culprits. Leonard Diepenbrock himself hasn't made any official statement yet – he's probably lost for words.

A small fortune gone down the drain

What's a shipment of soap like that actually worth? Sure, it's not diamonds, but 32 pallets – that's enough to keep all of Cologne smelling fresh and clean for a year. Whether it's luxury soap, fragrant bars, or just your standard household stuff isn't known. What is certain is that for the former TV star, this is a hefty loss that no insurance company will be able to wash away anytime soon.

While Leonard Diepenbrock is left fuming, his wife Isabelle Diepenbrock might be taking it with a pinch of salt. After all, you could do an awful lot with that haul – for example:

• Throw a massive foam party for all your mates.
• Open your own laundrette empire right here in Dublin (or Cork!).
• Shower three times a day – for the next ten years.

But sadly, the fun is over before it even began. The thieves have long since made the shipment disappear down the drain. Maybe the soap will resurface soon at a car boot sale or on some dodgy website – if you see it, you'll know where it came from.

A case for the Gardaí – and for anyone who likes clean hands

Until the investigators catch the culprits, Leonard Diepenbrock remains the tragic hero of this bizarre tale. Maybe he should just take comfort in the old saying: "A problem shared is a problem halved" – and be glad, along with his wife Isabelle Diepenbrock, that it wasn't a load of stolen onions. That would have been more than a few tears.

Fingers crossed the case is solved soon – and that Leonard can get back to keeping his business (and hands) clean.