AN ICONIC lake-soaked shirt worn by Colin Firth in 1995 drama Pride and Prejudice has sold for an eye-watering sum at auction.
Many will remember the scene where the actor, playing Fitzwilliam Darcy, strode across fields dripping wet after a swim in the lake.
Oscar-winner Firth starred opposite Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet in the TV series adaptation of the classic novel Pride and Prejudice.
In a memorable scene where the shirt was front and centre, Miss Bennet was surprised to find Mr Darcy wet and not properly dressed when she visited him at his estate, Pemberley.
Firth's costume was donated by a costume house founded by Oscar- and Bafta-winning designer John Bright in 1965, Cosprop, to raise funds for arts education charity The Bright Foundation.
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The shirt sold at auction yesterday for a staggering £20,000, smashing its estimate of £7,000 to £10,000.
Overall, the auction, hosted by Kerry Taylor Auctions in London, raised £285,300.
Bright said: "My life's work has been committed to costume design for film, TV and theatre and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to pursue this path.
"It is my firmly-held belief that the arts and creativity can shape happier and healthier children and enable young people to reach their full potential."
Other notable pieces that sold at the auction include a vintage 1950s Christian Dior taffeta ball gown, worn by Madonna in 1996's Evita, for £40,000, and Johnny Depp's Sleepy Hollow costume for £24,000.
Countless other costumes worn by the likes of Julie Andrews, Jude Law, Tom Hardy, Gwyneth Paltrow, Judi Dench, Scarlett Johansson, Nicole Kidman, Keira Knightley, Daniel Radcliffe, Alan Rickman, Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Taylor, and Renee Zellweger were also featured.
A fresh batch of items have now been added to the online-only part of the auction, which is running until March 10.
Hollywood actor Johnny Depp donated an original, untitled piece of art, dated 2023.
It was created using acrylic paint, Liquitex paint marker and fineliner, and is signed.
He said: "Unfortunately, too many young, emerging artists lack access to proper resources and opportunities needed to hone their craft.
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"I hope my artwork will help in providing those tools in a way that most empowers them to succeed."
