Crooks steal Enfield's laptop

Thieves have stolen Harry Enfield's laptop, containing gags for his next BBC series, and demanded a ransom for its return.

But the 48-year-old comic refused to pay the £750 they asked for, and instead alerted police – who are now trying to trace the criminals.

rnEnfield is said to be 'deeply upset’ after thieves broke into his wife Lucy’s Mini Clubman parked outside their £6million West London home. A few days later they called to make their demand.

The Mail on Sunday reports that Enfield had made no copies of the gags, and say TV chiefs 'fear the thieves could sell Mr Enfield’s comedy ideas to rival comics or production companies'.

The laptop is also believed to contain a list of celebrity phone numbers.

Enfield is working on a third series of his sketch show with Paul Whitehouse, Harry & Paul, which has been moved from BBC One to BBC Two.

But production company Tiger Aspect played down the importance of the material, saying: ‘We’re still some way out from filming. The computer contained some rough ideas for the show which had not reached script form. This doesn’t endanger the next series.’

Published: 18 Oct 2009