A THEATRE has had its leading man stolen – a David Hasselhoff cardboard cut out!

The Hoff, dressed as Hook from his role in this year’s pantomime production of Peter Pan at the Cliffs Pavilion, was taken from the theatre’s foyer on Sunday.

Staff were distraught after discovering he had gone AWOL.

Theatre director, Ellen McPhillips, said: “We were truly shocked when we discovered the Hoff was missing.

A thorough search of the area hasn’t turned up any clues. We particularly focused on the beachfront and asked everyone to be vigilant.

“This is a worrying time for the theatre team who are determined to be reunited with him. We can only hope he is being well looked after.”

The life-sized cut out is described as wearing a red and black pirate outfit.

He may be suffering the inability to pick things up with his right hand and has a severe aversion to ticking clocks.

Anyone with information should email info@ southend theatres. org.uk immediately or use the Twitter hashtag #huntthehoff