Andy Lee reveals fate of stolen item after 'priceless' gift was snatched from his iconic Aussie pub

Andy Lee has recovered the "priceless" gift that was stolen last week from his famous New York pub.And it's a gift most Aussies would recognise.The Old Mates pub, owned by the comedian and part-owned by some of Australia's biggest names including Hugh Jackman, Pat Cummins, Ash Barty and Hamish Blake, revealed on Saturday night that "a crime had been committed".Watch the video above."Our beloved Australian Women's Weekly Birthday Cake Book has been stolen off the wall… and yes, we've got the footage," the pub wrote in an Instagram statement.The pub offered a reward for its return. Speaking on The Smallzy Show, Lee revealed that the book has since been safely returned but half-jokingly fears he's opened himself up for more thefts to take place.READ MORE: Sydney Sweeney's saucy on-stage stunt shocks crowdREAD MORE: Jackie O quietly re-emerges as ARN legal drama rolls onEXCLUSIVE: Andy Lee puts PM Anthony Albanese to the ultimate recognition testLee made it clear that it wasn't just any cookbook, but an "original" from back in the day."We had it pride of place, it got stolen," Lee revealed on the show."Days went by, it was getting worrying that we may never see it again. So, we said $8 schooners for the rest of May if it gets safely returned."When the book was returned this morning, The Hundred host realised he may have went ahead with "the stupidest idea".The Hundred with Andy Lee returns Tuesday April 28, at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now."Because now people are just going to come and steal things to get $8 schooners," he confessed to Smallzy."We should have gone the opposite. The price should have gone higher the longer it would have come back. So anyway, we've opened ourselves up there," he laughed.Security footage from Old Mates' social media revealed the moment one pub-goer "pinched" the classic cook book off the wall and hid it under their jumper on Saturday night."It was a pre-opening gift... and it means a lot to us. We just want it back," the pub wrote in a statement at the time."We're not after drama. So we're calling on the internet to do its thing," the post continued."REWARD OFFERED. Return the book. No questions asked. Even anonymously."A second photo showed the "scene of the crime", the framed "collector's cookbook" hanging on the wall before it was taken.The pub revealed that if the book was returned by the end of the month, they would "shout" the entire pub $8 schooners for the month of May.So, naturally, the public got involved."This is beyond unhinged! ?," one follower reacted."My mum has that book - it is iconic and needs to be returned - it is just priceless ❤️," a second commented."Put their photo in the now empty frame until they do the right thing and bring the book back!!!" a third suggested while a fourth ill-wished the theft."May they use salt instead of sugar when baking from this book ?," they wrote.At least now, they can celebrate the book's return.Andy Lee returns for a brand new season of The Hundred, premiering tonight at 7:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.