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Episode details

World Service,19 Jul 2026,10 mins

Pickles and the Stolen World Cup

Witness History

Available for over a year

In 1966 host nation England won the football World Cup. But the national team very nearly had no trophy to hold aloft after triumphing over Germany in a memorable final. In the run-up to the tournament, the cup was on display in central London when it was stolen from right under the noses of a round-the-clock police guard. The investigation into the theft quickly turned to farce with a flat-footed Scotland Yard failing to find the cup. A dog called Pickles put the police to shame when he found the missing trophy while on his daily walk. Simon Watts finds out more, meeting owner Dave Corbett who recalls how he and Pickles became national heroes for returning the trophy. Producer/Presenter: Simon Watts First broadcast on the BBC World Service in 2016.

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