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Camden New Journal - By SIMON WROE
Published: 10 January 2008

Phil Daniels wearing the famous parka coat in the cult hit Quadrophenia

Quadrophenia star Daniels in plea for return of stolen parka

Actor issues appeal over iconic coat after theft from car on way to exhibition

QUADROPHENIA star Phil Daniels is appealing for the safe return of the iconic parka coat he wore in the cult film after it was stolen by thieves.
The famous khaki-green jacket, frequently an accessory to theft when worn by Daniels’s roguish character Jimmy in the seminal 1970s movie, was taken in a smash-and-grab raid on a friend’s car on Monday night.
Gospel Oak actor Mr Daniels had only dusted the jacket off that week after 20 years in storage to take it to a film and TV expo at the Birmingham NEC.
Mr Daniels, most recently on our screens in BBC soap EastEnders, contacted the New Journal to offer a cash reward for the coat’s return.
He said: “I just felt a bit silly for leaving it in the back of the car.
“It was a keepsake from all those years ago. I’m worried that someone’s just thought it was an old coat and slung it over the fence somewhere.”
He added: “If I could get it returned that would be great – if not que sera.
“It probably doesn’t mean that much to anyone else, but it means a lot to me.”
But fans of the film did not share Mr Daniel’s humble opinion.
Tom Petch, self-proclaimed mod and former chairman of the Lambretta Club of Great Britain, said: “Those thieves wouldn’t know what they’ve got. The thing would be virtually priceless.”
He added: “It’s the equivalent of Lewis Hamilton’s driving overalls to a racing fan.”
Dave Welford, current chairman of the Lambretta Club, agreed.
“If he [Mr Daniels] had put it up for auction the scooter fraternity would have been bidding like mad,” he said.
“Some of them still think they’re in the film.”
“There’s some right nutmegs about – they’d go overboard to own that coat.
“I don’t think the influence of that film can be underestimated.”
This year is the 30th anniversary of the hit British film, produced by rock band The Who, and Mr Daniels had planned to take the US army fishtail parka – distinguishable by the name “Jimmy” written inside in black marker – down to Brighton for the Quadrophenia reunion in April.

• Anyone with any information as to the whereabouts of this very particular Parka is urged to contact Simon Wroe at the Camden New Journal on 020 7419 9000.

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