An ex-gangster turned pastor from East Lancashire says he is “moved” and “honoured” after Prince William chose to write a foreword for his upcoming autobiography.

Pastor Mick Fleming, from Burnley, says the Duke of Cambridge has written the introductory section of his book ‘Blown Away: From Drug Dealer to Life Bringer’ which is set to be released in September.

Mick said he was “shocked” when he found out the news the future King was backing his life story.

Lancashire Telegraph: Pastor Mick Fleming with book 'Blown Away: From Drug Dealer to Life Bringer’ Pastor Mick Fleming with book 'Blown Away: From Drug Dealer to Life Bringer’

He said: “I was really shocked and really didn’t expect the future King to write a little piece for the book, especially considering my past.

“It shows the measure of the man and that he isn’t afraid to align himself with somebody who has a dubious past.

“I am a changed person and he’s more interested in the good that’s being done now.

“It’s really moving and touching and he really didn’t need to do it – but he did.”

Prince William and his wife, Kate, visited Mick’s Burnley charity Church on The Street Ministries (COTSM), which helps people affected by homelessness and addiction, earlier this year.

Lancashire Telegraph: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Church on the Street, in Burnley (Danny Lawson/PA) The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Church on the Street, in Burnley (Danny Lawson/PA)

The royal couple had asked to visit the centre after watching a BBC television report in December about its work with Burnley’s most vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic and finding it “very moving”.

Mick said: “Both William and Kate were really impressed with the work we were doing.

“I think William just wanted to support the charity and help with book sales.

“It’s not something royals really tend to do so William has broken the mould in writing this for us.

“It’s a massive honour and a huge deal for Church on the Street.”

Only a small snippet of the Prince’s page-long foreword has been released.

Lancashire Telegraph: Prince William during a visit to Church on the Street, in Burnley (Danny Lawson/PA)Prince William during a visit to Church on the Street, in Burnley (Danny Lawson/PA)

It says: “It’s impossible to visit Church on the Street and not be deeply moved by the work the organisation does for those in need.

"It is an extraordinary place…”

Mick said the amount of pre-orders and global interest the book has had so far is “staggering”.

He said: “Blown Away is the story of my life and coming away from a life of sex abuse, death and drug addiction.

“I was a very violent person who broke every single one of the 10 commandments until a religious experience changed my life.

“Now I am an ordained pastor who has shaken hands with the future King of England. It feels like an impossible story and yet it is still ongoing.”

The book will be published on September 15 but is available for pre-order via Amazon.