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‘BHS Destroyer’: Comedian Simon Brodkin renames Sir Philip Green’s £100m superyacht with large banner

Simon Brodkin, aka Lee Nelson, re-brands retail magnate's 295-foot boat with large banner as it moors in Monaco

Ben Chapman
Wednesday 07 September 2016 10:28 BST
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Sir Philip Green's superyacht has been unofficially "re-named" by Lee Nelson, aka Simon Brodkin
Sir Philip Green's superyacht has been unofficially "re-named" by Lee Nelson, aka Simon Brodkin (@Realleenelson)

Retail billionaire Sir Philip Green has had his superyacht renamed “BHS Destroyer” in a prank by comedian Simon Brodkin, better known for his stand-up persona, Lee Nelson.

The TV star tweeted pictures of himself under his stage name, riding up to the luxury £100 million vessel in a dinghy, and hanging the sign. None of the yacht's 28-strong staff saw the comedian or his four accomplices.

He posted: “Good of Sir Philip Green to rename his £100 million yacht to something more appropriate. I was glad to help.”

As BHS, which closed its doors last month was handing staff redundancy notices, former owner, Green enjoyed a five-week holiday on his new boat, Lionheart.

The collapse of BHS's in April has seen 11,000 people lose their jobs and left 22,000 unsure about the funding of their pensions.

A commons inquiry into the chain has been highly critical of Green, who sold the retail chain for £1 to serial bankrupt Dominic Chappell, who had no retail experience.

The former BHS owner has come under fire from MPs who have named him the "unacceptable face of capitalism" (Reuters)

Sir Philip owned the department store for 15 years, taking more than £400 million in dividends and leaving it with a £571 million pension deficit.

When questioned about the scandal last month as he holidayed on his new 295-foot vessel, Green became angry, telling a Sky News cameraman that his camera was "going in the f****ng sea

Sir Philip Green tells Sky News cameraman 'that's going in the f****ng sea'

The yacht stunt is the latest prank by Brodkin, who showered former Fifa president Sepp Blatter with fake money at a press conference last year.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter showered with fake notes by comedian Simon Brodkin

He also stormed the Glastonbury stage during Kanye West's set wearing a T-shirt with “Lee-Zus” on it before being removed by security.

lee-nelson-kanye.gif, by Ben Chapman (rex features)

The year before he tried to board the England football team's jet as they set off for the Brazil World Cup.

Brodkin removed by security as he attempts to board the England football team's plane to the Brazil 2014 World Cup (Getty Images)

He was given a conditional caution after he duped security at Manchester City's game at Everton in March 2013 and limbered up alongside star players.

Jason Bent, Simon Brodkin's spoof footballer, being taken off the pitch (Reuters)

The qualified doctor, who had his own sketch show on BBC Three, was later charged with going on to the playing area, contrary to the Football Offences Act.

The charge was withdrawn and he was issued with a six-month conditional caution.

Additional reporting by PA

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