Actor Christopher Biggins had his phone snatched by a cyclist in a hoody as he waited for a taxi.
The I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here star said the experience was “terrifying” and left him feeling “violated”.
Talking on BBC Wiltshire, where he is today taking over the station as guest editor, he explained that he has just left a swanky restaurant in Covent Garden, London, on Wednesday night.
“I walked down to Charring Cross Road to get an Uber at quarter to midnight and I was on my phone,” he told the BBC.
“I was looking down toward Trafalgar Square and I was seeing how far away he was and suddenly a hooded cyclist came by and stole my phone – just took it out of my hand.
“It was such a violation.
“I shouted very loudly but it was quarter to midnight and he got away.”
He said talking to insurers the next day made him feel a little better because some of them asked: “Is that the real Mr Biggins?” He doesn’t think the thieves will be able to crack open the phone and get to his contacts.
Christopher Biggins is one of four presenters guest editing BBC Wiltshire this week for the station’s 30th birthday.
The others have been Time Team’s Phil Harding, Olympian Sharron Davies and Apprentice star Nick Hewer.
Christopher Biggins has just turned 70.