Quite a caricature
Hardee cartoon stolen at wake
Who would have thought it? A thief at Malcolm Hardee’s wake.
Although the comic was an infamous rogue, who served time in jail and always lived on borrowed money – and clothes, a memento went missing after his funeral.
Hardee’s sister Clare is now appealing for the return of the caricature of Malcolm shaving.
She bid £500 for the cartoon at the auction of his belongings after the funeral in the Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich, which raised money for Malcolm's children, Poppy and Frank.
Now she has launched an appeal through the local paper, the Bexley Mercury, for whoever swiped it to return it.
She said: "Malcolm did tell me once who did the drawing but I can't remember. It's very good and really captures him and I'd like it back.
"Despite that, it was a great day and I'd like to thank everyone. People have been wonderful about Malcolm."
Johnny Vegas, Harry Hill and Jo Brand were among the scores of comics and hundreds of friends and family at Hardee’s funeral at St Alfege Church on February 17.
Published: 3 Mar 2005
