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quote:

Labels on clothing worn by mystery 'Piano Man' had all been removed

All labels had been removed from clothing worn by the mute "Piano Man" when he was found wandering on a beach, it was disclosed yesterday.

The apparently deliberate attempt to conceal his identity emerged as calls poured in to a missing persons helpline following publicity yesterday about the man, who has not spoken since he was found on the Isle of Sheppey, in Kent, more than five weeks ago.

Carers said that, among more than 80 calls received by the National Missing Persons Helpline yesterday, there had been a "promising" lead linking the man to Sussex. But it is far from certain that the man, who expertly plays piano concertos, is even British.

Karen Dorey-Rees, the adult mental health services manager for West Kent NHS Trust, which is caring for the 6ft tall man, said: "There were no labels in his clothing. They had been removed. We do not know by whom or why."

The man, believed to be about 30, was found wandering on the seafront at Minster. He was originally taken to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, where staff gave him a paper and pencil to encourage him to write his name. Instead, he drew pictures of pianos, some of the internal workings.

When he was placed in front of a piano in the hospital chapel, he "came alive" and played classical music for several hours. He has still not spoken, however, but appears to understand English by making little nods.

The man - dubbed the "Piano Man" by hospital staff - is now at Little Brook Hospital in Dartford. Mrs Dorey-Rees said: "He plays music beautifully but we know nothing more. We are keen to identify him as this will help us care for him better."

Michael Camp, who has been appointed as the man's social worker, said: "I have never dealt with someone so traumatised in 20 years.

"When two people are in the room, his eyes flick between both people. He is extremely scared and doesn't want to take his eye off anyone. It's only when he is at the piano that he is relaxed. He has smiled and cried. He does give slight nods and blinks but this is not consistent. When anyone enters the room, he cowers in the corner."

The man also drew a picture of the Swedish flag and there have been attempts to identify him through orchestras and music organisations in Britain and Europe.



Some believed him to be the Swedish pianist Martin Sturfalt, 26, who has homes in London and Stockholm. But Sturfalt said from Sweden last night: "It is not me."

The case has been compared with that of the pianist David Helfgott, whose battle against mental illness formed the basis of the film Shine.

Marjorie Wallace, the chief executive of the mental health charity Sane, said: "There have been cases of musicians who have retained their gifts for music through serious mental breakdown."

Anyone with information about the man should call the National Missing Persons Helpline on 0500 700700.