changing spark plugs + leads

[bloggs24]

Ive finally gotten off my *** and have started to change my spark plugs with some brand new NGK Iridums and the magnacore leads from the group buy. Started not too long after work, about 7:30, ive gotten up to plug number 4 where ive run into a problem, and its gotten too dark to keep going so will continue in the morning.
Ok, the problem is, while trying to get the old top gun lead of the plug, the cable has snapped off the boot, then after failing to get a good enough grip on the boot, i tried to use pliers which just cut the boot in half, lol.
I swear whoever replaced the leads previously, didnt use any grease on the boot and now its stuck to the plug. What would you do, only things i can think of, is WD40 the boot and plug and try and wiggle and pull whats left of the boot off, or try twist whats left of the boot to try and uncrew it and the plug in one piece, or hack the rest of the boot off so i can get to the sparkplug.

heres a photo of the old spark plugs, they were pretty dirty, but they were a pain to get out, already got some bad cuts on my fingers from getting them out, lol:



Also, just so i dont make the mistake, is it leads 1-6 from the back to the front, or from the front to the back?