In an episode that re-creates a scene from the French film Amelie, Murphy was returned to Eve Stuart-Kelso with a letter saying he had taken off because he had “itchy feet”.
In the 2001 film, starring Audrey Tautou, Amelie steals her father’s gnome and gives it to a friend who takes it around the world and posts back pictures of it in famous places to show him what he is missing in life.
Besides Murphy was a Tesco carrier bag containing the album of 48 photos and stamped immigration permits to South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong and Laos.
The album showed Murphy – who weighs a hefty 8lb (3.6kg) – abseiling down a mountain, standing in a shark’s mouth, swimming in the sea, and riding a motorbike.
Murphy took to his travels with a companion only referred to as “The Bear” – although some of the photos picture a group of young men who might have been responsible.
The accompanying letter explained his disappearance: “There’s more to life than watching daily commuter traffic and allowing passing cats to urinate on you.”
He looks like he has a smile, smeered lipstick and a puffy eye! He must have gotten into an altercation at a seedy brothel.