According to the Times, Strnad had often spoken of going abroad to try to become famous.

"When I saw the pictures of the lost man in Britain, I knew immediately that it was Tomas," Kryspin told the London Independent. "He was a fantastic, captivating player, but always so quiet, so shy. When I saw the pictures of Piano Man on television, I thought, 'Well Tomas, you became famous at last.'"

Kryspin is a drummer in a rock group, but says that Strnad wanted to make a career out of classical music.

The patient has not spoken since he was found, dripping wet, wearing a suit and tie and wandering in the town of Sheerness in the rain. Doctors believe he may have amnesia. According to the social worker in charge of his case, the patient is anxious and withdrawn unless he is playing the piano, which he does for long stretches of time.

He has played Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, among other works, and also composes music.