Dara O Briain touched by fan's 'incredibly kind' offer to replace son's teddy

Dara O Briain's plea to locate his son's lost teddy bear took a touching turn after a fan made an offer he could not refuse.

The comedian tweeted an appeal to find his three-year-old's "scruffy monkey" when a kind fan said he could send a replica of the toy.

All he asked for in return was that O Briain share a fundraising page for his wife, who had recently died of bowel cancer.

The heartwarming Twitter exchange began when O Briain shared a picture of the monkey, writing: "Are you in Heathrow Terminal 5 today ?

"The main part, somewhere between Harrods, WH Smith's and gate A7; this precious scruffy monkey was just lost.

"If you see him please get in touch! You'll make a three year old very happy. (Or give him to Lost and found)"

Ian Wilson then responded with a photo of his own scruffy monkey appearing to watch one of O Briain's stand-up routines on a tablet.

"He's in a better place now my friend," he joked. "Let it go."

After O Briain asked if the toy was "going spare", Mr Wilson said it belonged to his own three-year-old son - but he didn't think he would miss it.

The comedian said the offer was "incredibly kind" but appeared conflicted about taking the toy, however Mr Wilson suggested O Briain could "swing the moral compass" by sharing his JustGiving page.

O Briain later shared the fundraiser, writing: "Yesterday I posted about a lost toy. One man got in touch to help find a replacement.

"It was only after I read his profile I realised he has far, far more important things happening, but still took time to be kind.

"He's raising money to fight bowel cancer, if you'd like to help."

Mr Wilson thanked the comedian and said his wife was an "amazing woman and incredible mum".

On his JustGiving page, Mr Wilson said he met his wife, Morag, in 2007 and was the "only serious relationship" he had ever had.

The post, written before Morag died, added: "She is my best friend, mother to our amazing 3 year old son, Jamie, and frankly, I cannot imagine life without her".

The fundraising page has raised over £16,900 - more than double Mr Wilson's original target.