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In an extraordinary turn of events, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Four concludes a 30-year treasure hunt to solve the mystery of the Golden Hare at the launch of the channel's new Autumn/Winter season.

Thirty years ago artist Kit Williams published Masquerade, an exquisitely illustrated children's story which contained clues to where the author had buried a priceless bejewelled charm in the form of a golden hare.

His idea took the public by storm and catapulted him to fame.

But it also destroyed his artistic credibility, dashing his promising career as a painter, and forcing him to live as a virtual recluse. He has not set eyes on the hare since.

But today, at the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Four season launch, Kit was reunited with the Golden Hare.

Kit Williams says: "This was my 'apprentice teeth' – I did it before I was anyone. I'm amazed at how delicate the work on the hare is.

"It's just so emotional to be reunited with an old friend after 30 years – I never thought we'd meet again."

Richard Klein, Controller, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Four, says: "Kit is an extraordinary artist who broke new ground and yet was rejected by many in the artistic community.

"I am delighted that, in a life full of the twists and turns of fate, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Four has been able to reunite Kit with this talisman from the beginning of his career."

Masquerade sold in its millions and was translated into eight languages. Williams was catapulted into the media spotlight and inundated with letters from people with crackpot theories.

As lawns were dug up, the hunt for the hare, for many, became something of an obsession.

The amulet was discovered in 1982 and eventually sold to an anonymous overseas bidder at a Sotheby's auction in 1988 for £31,900.

The hunt had taken two-and-a-half years and the hare was found by someone who uncovered it through a mixture of luck and cunning.

Two Lancashire teachers, who had properly solved the puzzle, lost out by just a few days.

The makers of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Four's new documentary The Man Behind The Masquerade have tracked down the current owner of the Golden Hare who has agreed for it to be temporarily reunited with Kit.

In a bizarre turn of events, the current owner, who does not live in the UK, was passing through London and happened to hear an interview which Kit had given ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4.

Attempting to get in touch with Kit, she called the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ and was put in touch with the makers of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Four documentary.

The Man Behind The Masquerade asks whether it's time to reappraise the work of a very British artist, who was arguably just ahead of his time, and is part of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Four's new Autumn/Winter season unveiled today.

Front Desk