Comedian Dara Ó Briain gets stolen bike back in eBay sting

Irish comedian and TV presenter Dara Ó Briain has got his stolen bike back in time for the new year after apparently launching a sting operation on the thief trying to sell it on eBay – and says he may save the full story for his stand-up routine.

The comic, who has a home in west London, took to Twitter to announce the recovery of his bike this morning, adding some further detail in a second message on the social network.

Well, a pleasant end to 2015. Hounslow branch of @metpoliceuk recovered my stolen bicycle. Thank you very much Officers, much appreciated.

— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) December 31, 2015

There's a longer version to this, involving eBay, and me using a false name online, but I suspect it may end up as a routine...

— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) December 31, 2015

The initial tweet has received nearly 500 ‘likes,’ with responses including this one from actress and comedian Tara Flynn.

@daraobriain @metpoliceuk If that isn't the pilot for a new Sunday teatime show, I'm out of this crazy business.

— Tara Flynn (@TaraFlynn) December 31, 2015

The news also provoked a bit of teasing from some of his followers.

@daraobriain You got your bike back and BBC online went down. Did they use your bike to power their servers?

— Peter Andersson (@swe_wolfis) December 31, 2015

@daraobriain @metpoliceuk Did they also find the glittery pink tassels?

— Kieran Lucky (@KieranLeCam) December 31, 2015

@daraobriain can't imagine you on a bicycle

— Lorraine (@adultdiversion) December 31, 2015

@daraobriain @metpoliceuk thank god, considering all that heroin hidden in the handlebars.

— Dovil (@Dovil) December 31, 2015

@daraobriain Well that's the first miracle sorted. Lemmy's on the road to sainthood...

— Des Columb (@DesColumb) December 31, 2015

O’Briain didn’t reply to any of those, but he did respond to one from near-namesake, Daragh O’Brien.

Way to harsh my buzz, man. https://t.co/okBR1AROoG

— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) December 31, 2015

@daraobriain Police have just released this footage of you reclaiming your bike. pic.twitter.com/qCRAgI8Ke6

— Daragh O Brien (@daraghobrien) December 31, 2015