Uri Geller spoon sculpture removed over planning 'hunch'

The red spoon was unveiled as the TV illusionist's parting gift to the village of Sonning, where he has lived for 35 years

A red spoon sculpture installed in a Berkshire village by TV illusionist Uri Geller was removed at his request.

Mr Geller, who lived in Sonning for 35 years, recently returned to his native Israel and commissioned the giant bent spoon as a parting gift.

But the spoon, which did not have planning permission, suddenly disappeared without explanation.

Mr Geller's spokesman said he had a "very strong gut feeling" retrospective planning permission would be denied.

The sculpture was replaced with an actual bent spoon

Kevin Lewis said: "I can tell you from having worked with Uri for several years, his hunches are usually right."

He said the sculpture had been removed and would now be "transported to Jerusalem so it can be given as a symbol of peace to help in his efforts to bring about a more peaceful relationship between Israel and Palestine".

The statue had been placed on a large tree stump in Sonning earlier this month.

Following the unveiling, it emerged the sculpture did not have the necessary planning permission from Wokingham Borough Council.

The 68-year-old, who became famous for bending spoons, now lives with his wife in Old Jaffa in Tel Aviv.