In a case of mistaken identity that sounds like it's straight out of a comedy script, celebrated British actress Celia Imrie has revealed she was recently mistaken for an elderly shop thief.
The 73-year-old star of stage and screen, known for her roles in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Calendar Girls, found herself in an embarrassing situation when a security guard accused her of stealing from a high-end London store.
The Unlikely Suspect
"I was in a rather posh shop and suddenly this security guard came up to me and said, 'Excuse me, madam, I think you've got something in your bag,'" Imrie recounted during a recent interview.
The actress, who has enjoyed a career spanning over five decades with numerous acclaimed performances, was left stunned by the accusation. "I thought he was talking to someone else at first," she admitted.
A Comedy of Errors
As the situation unfolded, it became clear the security guard had been tracking the wrong person entirely. "He'd been following me around the shop thinking I was someone else who'd been stealing," Imrie explained with amusement.
The incident took an even more ironic turn when the security guard eventually realised his mistake. "He was so embarrassed when he realised," the actress shared. "He said, 'I'm so sorry, I thought you were someone completely different.'"
Seeing the Funny Side
Rather than being offended, the seasoned performer took the awkward encounter in her stride. "I just laughed it off," she said. "These things happen, and it makes for a good story."
Imrie, who continues to work regularly in television, film and theatre, found the humour in being mistaken for a common criminal. "At my age, I suppose I should be flattered they thought I had the energy to be a shoplifter!" she joked.
The actress's good-natured response to the incident demonstrates why she remains one of Britain's most beloved acting talents, able to find comedy in even the most unexpected situations.
