Theatre stars Rufus Hound, Michael Ball and Amanda Holden join appeal to find costume expert's sick dog

John Fahey believes his poorly dog, Minnie, was stolen because she resembles a puppy

Theatre and TV actors have rallied together to help a veteran West End costume expert find his terminally ill dog.

John Fahey, who for over two decades has dressed performers in hit musicals from Matilda to Les Miserables, tied up his dog Minnie outside a Morrison’s supermarket in Wood Green, north London, on 23 November, while he popped in to buy her a treat.

But when Mr Fahey, 70, left the store a few minutes later, Minnie, who needs medication, was gone.

He said he was “shocked” and his stomach was “churning” when he realised she was lost.

Minnie, 2, was the runt of her litter, and born with only one kidney, meaning she must regularly visit the vets to survive.

Mr Fahey is now offering a “substantial reward” for her safe return, and believes she may have been taken because her small stature means she resembles a puppy, the Evening Standard reported.

Despite the fact that Minnie is micro-chipped, Mr Fahey has been unable to find her.

But he added he was “overwhelmed” by the support shown from those in the industry.

Theatre performers Michael Ball, Hairspray, Amanda Holden, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Rufus Hound, One Man, Two Guvnors, as well as Sky News presenter Kay Burley have tweeted their milliions of followers to give the costumer expert's appeal a boost.

“Please think of her health and let me take care of her. She is expensive to look after with vet’s fees,” Mr Fahey pleaded.

“If they ignore her health problems, she will die sooner rather than later. If I could get her back it would be the best Christmas present ever," he added.

If you have any information regarding Minnie’s whereabouts, visit: tinyurl.com/findminniethedog