The Norwich Puppet Man pictured with today's Evening News.
UPDATED and Photo: Puppet man is alive and holding today’s paper
Donna-Louise Bishop, Reporter
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
12:34 PM
One of Norfolk’s most well known buskers has been spotted alive and well today after rumours about his death exploded on social media sites.
Rumours about the death of the Norwich and Great Yarmouth ‘puppet man’, David Perry, began on social network sites Twitter and Facebook early yesterday evening.
It was said that Mr Perry passed away in Great Yarmouth yesterday after suffering from a heart attack.
Mr Perry received five phone calls from friends and relatives last night, including a call from his girlfriend, ex-wife and sister about the rumours.
Playing and performing to Amazing Grace outside Primark on Gentleman’s Walk in the city centre today, he said: “That’s what I would want to be played at my funeral if anything happened to me.
“When I received the phone calls I thought this could be funny but it is not really, and although it is not the publicity I want, it is good publicity to raise more money for charity.”
Twitter users traced the source of the rumour to a single individual on Facebook.
The 67-year-old, who lives in Great Yarmouth, was most recently in the news in September 2007 after saying he would be retiring, but appeared back on the street performing after a week.
He is known for performing in Norwich city centre, usually along Gentleman’s Walk near Starbucks, and Great Yarmouth, usually outside McDonald’s Restaurant on Regent Boulevard, with his collection of puppets.
He has also appeared in the Evening News previously, receiving new puppets donated from the Langley’s toy shop in the city centre.
Today Mr Perry was performing with one of his oldest puppets, a dog called Mick Jagger.
DO you have a story for the Evening News? Contact reporter Donna-Louise Bishop on 01603 772438 or email donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk
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7 comments
Even I didn't know that!
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Charlie
Monday, April 4, 2011
Charlie Chapman is a shortened version of Charlie Chaplin Man which is what I intended to say - Ithought that everybody new that !!!
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Oldmar Tintrill
Friday, April 1, 2011
It is a pity he is not prosecuted for playing recorded music in piblic and not paying any royalties. Businesses cannot pipe music to its workforce with out paying a licence fee so why oh why does this bloke get away with it.
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NchNthMan
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Who is Charlie Chapman?
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mike smith
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Puppet Man would be so much better if he swapped his act with Charlie Chapman - Silence is golden!
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Oldmar Tintrill
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Given the outpourings of love for the puppet man since this story broke last night, sure its about time one of his performances was added to the schedule for the Norwich Arts Festival?
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Simon Alcock
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Good news. Given the volume of people displaying sadness at his apparent demise, perhaps someone could give the gentleman a helping hand and wash his puppets for him as Mick Jagger is looking nearly as dog-eared as the Rolling Stone himself!
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Valpy Word
Tuesday, March 29, 2011