Sheffield After Life bench plaque vanishes within hours

A metal plaque on a bench marking the final series of a Ricky Gervais TV show has been stolen hours after being installed in Sheffield.

The wooden seat, one of 25 donated across the UK, was provided by Netflix's After Life, in which Gervais's character Tony deals with the death of his wife.

It was fitted in Meersbrook Park, which overlooks the city, on Thursday.

But the council reported the missing plaque later the same day.

The bench also includes information about suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

On their Facebook page, the council wrote: "There's always hope and we hope that whoever has stolen the plaque from our new bench returns it please."

Park user Kay Jaques, from Meersbrook, said it was "really sad" someone would steal the plaque.

"I suppose someone's taken it as a memento or as a bit of fun, but I think that's really sad as it's a lovely idea.

"It's highly unlikely [it would be returned], but if someone has a change of thought and just brings it back and pops it down that'd be great."

Another park user said anyone who stole the metal marker was "pathetic".

He added: "People don't understand the consequences of their actions. They have no empathy, that's the problem."

The bench campaign began in January, to coincide with the launch of the final series of After Life.

In the programme, Gervais's character is often seen seen sitting on a bench in the churchyard where his wife Lisa, played by Kerry Godliman, is buried.

The spot is also the setting for conversations with widow Anne, played by Penelope Wilton, whose husband is also buried in the cemetery as Tony deals with his own grief.

The donated bench is engraved with a quote from the show "Hope is Everything" and also has a QR code on a separate plaque which links to resources and advice on mental health.

Simon Gunning, from the charity CALM, told BBC Radio Sheffield the plaque would be replaced.

"We will work with our partners at Netflix and get another plaque on that bench. I'll make an absolute promise of that.

"Hopefully It will be screwed on nice and tight and nobody else feels the need to take it," he added.

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