DICKIE Bird's statue may be back in town and safe in the hands of sculptor Graham Ibbeson but mystery surrounds where it got to in the 24 hours it was missing.
The vanishing act caused concern across the borough as people noticed it had gone missing at 9.30am on Sunday, prompting a social media frenzy over its whereabouts.
Thankfully the sculpture was returned to Graham on Monday, just 24 hours after going walkabout.
Graham said: "Rest assured it's back in safe hands but there has been some bizarre sightings of him."
It seems Dickie's statue covered thousands of miles as these photos sent to the Chronicle by the 'Barnsley's Not Baht Arts' group show.
The group has claimed responsibility for 'hijacking' the much-loved statue early on Sunday morning as it was being removed by workmen to be taken into storage to raise the height of the plinth.
The arts group appears to have sent the statue on a world tour after it was spotted at various landmarks and destinations across the globe.
It was first seen on top of the town hall and then in front of Barnsley FC's homeground, Oakwell.
In another 'hair-raising' photo, he was snapped on the other side of the pond posing in front of the 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign.
He was seen in front of the Taj Mahal in India too.
A spokesman for the hijackers said: "Poor, innocent Dickie - a peacemaker and an envoy for the gentlemen's game - found himself at the centre of the most extensive riots for decades. We diplomatically withdrew him."
He also touched down at Sydney Opera House in Australia and then in Petra, Jordan.
"It's that place where Indiana Jones left the Holy Grail. Let's go find it," Dickie's statue was heard shouting in delight.
He also dropped in on statues of classic comedy duo Laurel and Hardy before stopping by Buckingham Palace to see the Queen.
However, in a surprise turn of events the statue was returned to sculptor Graham on Monday with this note attached: "When all's said and done, Dickie's a simple Barnsley lad. We've brought him back home."
Graham told the Chronicle he was hugely relieved to have Dickie back on home turf.
He said from Sunday the statue will be on a 1.5m plinth and Dickie's eponymous finger will be at least three metres high.
It is hoped raising the plinth will make the statue more visible to motorists as well as other benefits.
"It's to stop people putting things on it and climbing on it. Aesthetically he was always modelled to be that height," Graham said.
* Dickie's statue will be re-installed on Sunday at noon, and will be unveiled by Dickie himself. There will be entertainment from comic band, the Bar Stewards Sons of Val Doonican.
