Ricky Tomlinson appeals for photograph of his late son to be returned after car is stolen

The Royal Family actor says it is one of the few images he had of his son, who died in 2004

Whiteley​, who was famed for his outlandish clothing, jolly temperate and penchant for pubs, passed away in 2005 (Rex)

Ricky Tomlinson is appealing for one of the only photos he had of his late son to be returned after his car was stolen over the weekend.

The Royal Family actor told The Liverpool Echo he parked his car outside a bar in central Liverpool to go and use the toilet, leaving his keys on a table. He returned to find his keys were missing and the vehicle was gone.

His car was full of items he was moving out of his cottage so his granddaughter could move into it, including a photo of his eldest son Clifton, who died when he was 33-years-old. Tomlinson is urging anyone who may have seen the car to contact police.

“There were things like an antique clock in there but most importantly there was a photo of my son,” he said.

“It’s one of only a few photos of him I’ve got. [...] The car was absolutely full of bits and pieces and a lot of the things had sentimental value.”

A spokesperson for Merseyside police confirmed the force is investigating a report of a car theft in Liverpool city centre on Saturday. CCTV in the surrounding area is being examined and enquiries are on-going.

The spokesperson told The Independent: “Officers received a report that a black Vauxhall Anatara Exclusiv had been stolen after keys were taken from a property on Duke Street.

“Officers attended and conducted a search of the area but the car is yet to be recovered."

Anyone with any information relating to the incident is asked to contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.