The Slough man who earned internet notoriety for his likeness to Friends star David Schwimmer has denied a string of theft and fraud offences.

Abdulah Husseini, from Spencer Road, Slough made a brief appearance via a video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs to deny the charges.

He pleaded not guilty to the theft of a wallet in Blackpool on September 20 last year. Also, he denied five fraud offences by allegedly using or attempting to use a stolen Halifax bank card on 17 occasions in shops between September 20 and November 5 last year.

When Blackpool police posted an image of Husseini leaving a restaurant carrying what appeared to be a carton of beer cans, social media users pointed out the likeness to the American actor. David Schwimmer later responded, posting a video to his Twitter account carrying a carton of beer before looking at a CCTV camera.

Judge Beverley Lunt, hearing the case at Preston Crown Court, said: "Is this the Ross from Friends case?" at which point the defendant started to giggle and put his hand over his mouth.

Joe Allman, prosecuting, replied: "It is the one with the doppelganger, your honour."

There was no application for bail by the defendant who is currently serving a jail sentence.