A SPOOF letter-writer told a former Archbishop of York he looked like a gerbil - and invited him round to tea.

Cheeky author Duncan McNair posed as an inquisitive Italian immigrant to ask Dr David Hope if he could name his son's pet gerbil after him.

The then Archbishop replied to say he would have "no objection" to the creature being called "Wee Davie".

The exchange of letters was apparently entirely serious - until Mr McNair revealed the mysterious Mr R M Morello was a fraud.

But good-natured Dr Hope saw the funny side, and agreed to pose for a photo and dine with the real-life letter writer.

The correspondence is one of dozens to appear in The Morello Letters, on sale in bookshops now. Other stars scammed include Tony Blair, the Lord Chancellor, Richard Branson, Gordon Ramsay and - continuing the religious theme - the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Mr McNair said: "Dr Hope was such a nice bloke. Even when I phoned up to come clean he was incredibly nice, and very good about everything. I wasn't trying to show him or anyone else up as silly - it was just gentle, rompish humour and nobody was upset by the book."

Although Dr Hope declined Mr Morello's invitation to come to tea in London, he later invited Mr McNair up to dine with him, after the prank was revealed.

Mr McNair said: "In the end I came up to Yorkshire to have tea with Dr Hope - and he was the most charming gentleman."

The author was in York over the weekend signing copies of his book.


The letters

Dear Reverend ArchbishopI write most respectfully but with some trepidation to make a small request. It is a little unusual perhaps but a matter to which we hope you may accede when you appreciate what motivates our letter.

Mrs Morello and I have three children, the youngest being Rizzo (7) He's got the annoying habit of claiming people he sees bear a resemblance to his various little pets His little gerbil Dandy has produced a litter of eight babies, now two weeks old with eyes open, and bits of fur. Rizzo saw you on television by chance and shouted out "gebrils" (he can't get the name quite right).

We would like to respectfully ask for your consent to Rizzo naming one of the little mites in your honour, we thought Wee Davie or perhaps Ebor?

Yours sincerely
RM Morello (Mr)
Dear Mr MorelloIn view of what you write I would have no objection to Rizzo naming one of his gebrils' in my honour, though given the tenor and tone of your letter, I rather feel that Wee Davie' might be altogether more appropriate than Ebor' Greetings and all good wishes.

Yours sincerely
The Archbishop of York


Dear Reverend ArchbishopWe must thank you for agreeing to Rizzo's gerb being called "Ebor".

He seems happy with his new name, and gave the Mrs a nip last Tuesday. Could we perhaps ask for a little photo of you to keep near Ebor's cage?

We wondered if you could come to tea and see the little mite. Perhaps Sunday, December 12, around 3pm possibly?

We could meet you off the train at Ealing Broadway unless you were coming in a carriage or something.

Yours most respectfully
RM Morello

PS. Don't worry about a present for gerb, though a crunchy insect such as a stag beetle might be appreciated.

PPS. Mrs M says she'll do a Victoria sponge, and we'll get in some Eccles cakes to remind you of Yorkshire.


Dear Mr MorelloIn fact I suggested that, given the nature of your request, I thought it better that you should call Rizzo's gerb "Wee Davie" rather than "Ebor".

I enclose a small photograph which you request.

Unfortunately, given that my Sundays are already full with previous commitments - some people, of course, say the only day clergy work is Sunday! - I very regretfully will have to decline your kind invitation to tea.

Yours sincerely,
The Archbishop of York