Thieves strike as he performs at Liverpool venue

Bill Bailey's tour bus was stolen in Liverpool yesterday.

Thieves took the vehicle from outside the Liverpool Philharmonic as the comedian was peparing to perform his Limboland show inside.

He tweeted the news this morning:

Lively crowd @liverpoolphil last night- shame our tour bus was nicked from outside the venue! So gig not too bad all things considered ..

— Bill Bailey (@BillBailey) October 27, 2015

Many of his followers suggested it was a joke based on the stereotype of light-fingered Scousers, but Bailey admitted it was 'sadly true'.

Two thieves broke into the venue and also stole laptops and personal belongings, as well as the keys to the bus, which contained crew suitcases and a stack of merchandise.

The vehicle is a silver/grey Mercedes Tiger Tours Sprinter Splitter van with the registration number CE14 VFS, pictured right. It is still missing.

Merseyside police have been informed, and Bailey's publicist Anna Raynsford released an image from the venue's CCTV on her Twitter account, saying it was a man officers want to speak to in connection with the incident, but subsequently deleted the message.

Merseyside Police confirmed that they are investigating. A spokesman said: ‘Officers received a report that a Mercedes Sprinter van was stolen from the car park of the Royal Philharmomic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool, at around 2.30pm.

‘Officers believe keys for the van were stolen from an office at the location.

’Enquiries are ongoing at this time, CCTV is being examined and anyone with information is encouraged to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.’

Raynsford added: 'Despite the chaos this has caused to the tour, the show will go on tonight as it did last night.'

Bailey plays in Liverpool again tonight before heading to St David's Hall in Cardiff on Wednesday and Thursday, and the Manchester Apollo over the weekend.

Published: 27 Oct 2015