Mystery deepens as curry house boss hits back at wife who says she spotted dead husband in new promo

A CURRY house has hit back at claims that a man dead for nine years appeared in its latest promotional video.

Lucy Watson last week insisted that her husband Harry Doherty, who died in 2014, feature in the short clip to advertise Spice Cottage in Westbourne, West Sussex.

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She was so convinced it was him that she asked the Indian restaurant when the video was taken and was told it was the week before.

And last night Director Bodrul Islam again ‘clarified some misunderstandings’ to refute her claims.

He wrote on Facebook: “I run the social media side of the business and have recorded a promotional video to showcase our new wooden tables and interior renovation.

“The renovation was completed in early January 2023 and the promotional video highlights these changes.

“All videos used in the video were recorded the week beginning January 9, 2023.

“Before January 2023, all our tables were covered with white and red tablecloths, now it is obvious that these images are recent.

“This is a very unusual situation and we hope this clears up any confusion.”

The video shows the interior of the restaurant and groups of diners enjoying their meals.

Lucy, 59, reckons Harry enjoys his favorite chicken korma with his son Alex.

She told MailOnline: ‘The moment I saw the thing I thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s Harry.

“It was so instantaneous. I didn’t even have to think.

“There was no doubt in my mind that it was my husband.”

Lucy said she had played the clip about 30 times and was sure it was him as he was a ‘distinctive man’ with white hair, glasses and a blue looking sweatshirt familiar.

She thought it must be an old video, so she asked when it was filmed before the internet went “crazy”.

She added: “It annoyed me when they texted back saying it was filmed last week. It can’t be.”

There was no doubt in my mind that it was my husband.

Lucy Watson

Harry, a father of three, died in April 2014 after being seriously ill in hospital while awaiting a planned liver transplant.

The now infamous Facebook post drew hundreds of comments from people with wild, sometimes tongue-in-cheek conspiracy theories.

One person said, “He wasn’t dead. He was just in a korma.”

Another wrote: ‘Curry so good this lady’s late husband came back to life for it.’

While a third said: “We need an update. Has his body been found yet, or just a canoe?”

She was referring to John Darwin who faked his own death for a life insurance scam in an apparent canoeing accident in 2002.

Lucy, who lost contact with Harry’s son, 39, after his father died, suspects Spice Cottage posted the clip to generate customers as it is “really struggling” with several nearby rivals.

“That’s the only explanation I can think of,” she added.

Kiera Doherty, who claims Harry was her father and Alex his brother, said: “It’s 100 per cent on him.”