Freelander 1 Drive shaft question.

Four years ago I replaced the FLH driveshaft with a Britpart one. The CVJ boot/gaiter split so I organised to either fit a replacement boot OR replace the entire CVJ. Last week I tried to remove the outer CVJ but was unsuccessful. I left it for my mechanics to do. They couldn't remove it either! Don't they 'pop' off when you give them a tap / clout with a hammer?

What has been other peoples' experience doing this - what have we missed?

Sometimes they come out easily, other times not so easy.
LR list a special tool, but anything that can get behind it with some force should work.