...but The Dandyman makes triumphant return

A street performer harassed by an intimidating far-right group has defiantly returned to his pitch – with supporters coming out in their droves to show their support.

A mob led by Blair Cottrell of Australia's United Patriots Front group confronted physical comedian Daniel Oldaker – also known as The Dandyman – over the pink leotard he wore as he entertained crowds in Federation Square, Melbourne.

In a video posted online some of Cottrell's followers can be heard calling the performer a 'degenerate'.

Incorrectly complaining that Oldaker was 'wearing a G-string in front of kids', the bullies unplugged his microphone and chased him off his spot.

'You're not welcome,' the hate-filled mob chanted, before being moved on by police.

Comedian Frank Woodley, who came out to support Oldaker when he returned to perform in Federation Square said of the intimidation: 'It was rather pathetic.'

Oldaker uses circus, acrobatics, juggling and and slapstick comedy skills to entertain families while Cottrell has a string of convictions for crimes including arson, aggravated burglary, stalking and making threats to kill.

He has boasted online of having manipulated women using 'violence and terror', wants a picture of Hitler in every Australian school and has posted vile anti-Islamic and anti-Semitic rants on social media.

Published: 28 Jun 2018