A REPORT from Prague may have hit the right note with staff at a Kent hospital trying to solve the riddle of the mysterious Piano Man.

A 'significant’ new lead has been announced, hinting at the possible identity of the young virtuoso musician who has not uttered a word since he was found on a beach On Sheppey in April.

His carers at Dartford's Little Brook Hospital have received an encouraging breakthrough with a report from Prague naming him as Czech rock musician Tomas Strnad, a drummer he says once played keyboard in his rock band when they were teenagers.

“When I saw his picture in the newspapers, I knew it was Tomas,” said Klaudius Kryspin. He still looks like the same guy I knew back then. The only things that are different are his hair colour and his sad face. He looks like a broken man.”

The mysterious Mr X has not uttered a word since he was found on a beach on the Isle of Sheppey in the middle of the night, wearing an expensive, but soaking wet, dinner suit with all the labels cut out.

All that is known about him is that he is a brilliant pianist, having treated carers to a non-stop virtuoso performance lasting four hours in the chapel of a hospital, before being transferred to the Little Brook Hospital.

Last week, staff at the 44-bed unit specialising in treatment for people with mental problems, installed a piano in his room in an attempt to get him to loosen up and talk.

A spokesman for the hospital where Piano Man is staying, said: “At this stage it is not possible to confirm the identity of Mr X, but it is fair to say this is a significant lead. The trust will, however, continue to work with police to review and investigate the rest of the information that people have supplied.”

He added that the trust “now plans to bring in a Czech interpreter”. The spokesman said Mr X’s physical health remained good while his mental health continued to be assessed.

The National Missing Persons Helpline has received more than 1,000 phone calls and 200 e-mails from around the world, with a raft of claims from people suggesting his identity. The report from Prague is the first time officials in Dartford have indicated a note of optimism.