A SCREENWRITER from Hollywood has shipped DVDs signed by Sacha Baron Cohen to a Grimsby landlord to auction off for charity.
As reported, Phil Johnston visited the town twice to gain inspiration for a film he is penning with the infamous star of Borat, Bruno and The Dictator.
During his visit, Phil stopped off at Cottees, in Freeman Street, and promised to send landlord Pete Goldsmith some signed DVDs to help raise money for charity.
Pete explained: "To be honest I wasn't sure he was legitimate at the time so I didn't expect to hear anything of it.
"Then this big envelope arrived from Los Angeles the other day and I couldn't believe it. It was a real bolt from the blot.
"He seemed like a nice bloke so I'm touched that he remembered us and took the time to get the DVDs signed."
Phil has donated two copies of The Dictator signed by Sacha, who rose to fame as faux-gangster Ali G.
The DVDs will now be raffled off in the countdown to Christmas to help raise funds for Help For Heroes.
Pete, who is originally from London but moved to Grimsby six years ago, said: "I served as a rifleman for four years in the 1980s so it's a charity I always try to support.
"I come from a military family as my dad and brother were in the forces too.
"To be honest I haven't seen any films with Sacha Baron Cohen in, but I'm hoping there are some fans in Grimsby who will want to win the DVDs and help us raise as much money as possible."
As reported, Phil and Sacha are writing a James Bond-style spy spoof for Paramount Pictures which centres around northern football supporters.
Phil visited Grimsby, Hull, Scunthorpe and Newcastle to find out how football fans spend their days and to get a sense of local dialogue and mannerisms.
As well as spending time in Cottees during his time in Grimsby, Phil took a tour of the fish docks, East Marsh, West Marsh and visited Blundell Park.
Paramount is yet to decide if the movie will go into production and where it will be filmed.
To purchase tickets for the DVD raffle, call into Cottees.
