So when he failed to show up after telling people he planned to cruise along the Llangollen Canal, his family reported him missing to the police, sparking the man (and boat) hunt in what soon became the national media’s ‘slowest ever police chase’.

The boat - named Holly - and its skipper evaded capture after King cunningly repainted her from her original green with red trim to blue. He also painted her name out, prolonging his time on the run. This artful camouflage, plus the boat’s top speed of 4kts, enabled King to evade his pursuing forces.

But it all ended on Sunday when police arrested King on the Oxford canal near Banbury following a tip-off.

According to a report in The Daily Telegraph, Thames Valley Police said a 52-year-old man was in custody on suspicion of theft.