Calderdale Council has successfully secured Mr Darcy’s iconic ‘wet shirt’ from the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
The classic 1995 TV scene saw Mr Darcy – played by Colin Firth – dive fully clothed into a lake and emerge with his wet shirt clinging to him, only to be unexpectedly confronted by Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle).
Calderdale Council successfully bid for the shirt, and other costumes from significant moments in TV and film history, at a London auction by Cosprop which raised money for arts education charity, the Bright Foundation.
The council’s bid was funded by donations from visitors to Calderdale museums.
The shirt – minus Mr Darcy – will be on show for free at Bankfield Museum in Halifax until Tuesday 24 December 2024.
Cllr Danielle Durrans, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, said: ‘Since it hit the headlines that the famous Mr Darcy shirt would be coming to Halifax, we know that many people have been eager to see it for themselves.
‘Along with other parts of the lake scene costume, we’re thrilled to announce that this iconic piece of TV history will be on public display for free for most of our Year of Culture – a major addition to our showstopping year of events and activities across Calderdale.’
