Replace bath waste on back wall

One of those stupid baths with the overflow on the side and a cable operated twist jobbie, the bastard leaks and has done since a handyman fitted the bathroom, I got involved 2016 after water dripping through ceiling after bath emptied on bath night. Everytime I look and it its bone dry and cannot replicate the leak. I take apart the fitting I can can to, clean and re seal and its fine for a year then the same shit through the ceiling. Deffo not the trap and the leak is right under the waste.

Its happend again now and I want that waste and overflow out, can I do it with a piece of string and a hook?

Tom you metioned this which is what got me thinking.