Nicked props are dumped a bush

Actor Julian Dutton has been reunited with his stolen Dad’s Army uniform after a blitz of publicity over the theft.

The performer is touting a one-man tribute to John Le Mesurier, in which he wears a perfect replica of a 1940s Home Guard uniform, complete with all the correct badges.

But the costume, as well as other props and personal items that were taken from the backstage area at Colchester Arts Centre after his Do You Think That’s Wise? show on Sunday night.

The theft was reported on Chortle and other media yesterday, which Dutton says has led to the return of his items.

‘My costume & props were left in a bush near the theatre, literally half an hour ago,’ he posted on Facebook this lunchtime. ‘Huzzah! The show will go on! 

‘For my next tour, Last Of The Summer Wine, I shall be wearing a Compo costume - Oxfam jacket & a moth-eaten bobble-hat - so if any ne-er-do-well wants to nick it, frankly they're welcome to it.’

After his show in Colchester, Dutton packed up his props and belongings, including his laptop, projector, phone and wallet.  But in the 15 minutes he took to fetch his car, two opportunistic thieves spotted the stage door was open and took the lot.

‘There’s CCTV footage,’ Dutton told Chortle. ‘I’ve watched it and there’s this clear image of the two making off with a heavy suitcase that contained all the Dad's Army props, the costume, and my laptop, phone and projector. My entire life has been stolen.’

He said the costume ‘cost be £400 to £500 from a specialist website, but I can’t see how it would be of any use to anyone unless they were planning a rival John Le Mesurier tribute show.’

And he was overwhelmed by offers of help from Dad’s Army fans, which he won’t now have to take up.

‘Turns out there are dozens of people who have this uniform,’ he said. ‘And some have offered to let me  borrow it for the rest of the tour. That’s very kind.’

He also turned detective to get some of his other belonging backs.

‘I called all the Cash Converters in the Colchester area giving the serial numbers of my laptop and projector,’ he said. ‘They told me crooks wouldn’t be so stupid as to take the stuff to a local shop.

‘But at noon someone tried to sell them my projector - so I’ve got that back. And with CCTV of them taking the stuff and trying to sell it, the net is closing.’

Published: 16 Oct 2019