Prince William: Can I Have a Part in Blackadder?

Prince William has revealed that he wants a part in classic TV comedy Blackadder if a new series were ever filmed. But would he be comfortable playing dopey toffs like Prince George?

Actor Tony Robinson revealed that the second in line to the throne of England would like a role in a new version of the popular TV series.

In Blackadder, Prince George was the big spending regent with an appetite for expensive clothes, who was the mercilessly mocked by his own butler Blackadder, played by Rowan Atkinson.

William made his bid for a part when he knighted Robinson at Buckingham Palace earlier this year. The actor turned archaeologist said: "[William] said that he was a big fan of Blackadder and was there going to be another series? I said we have always talked about it.

"I said to him 'would you be prepared to be in it? He said 'yes' like a shot.

"I managed to do a bit of casting while he was awarding my knighthood. I think that is probably a first."

In Blackadder, by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis, members of the royal family were depicted as part mad or completely stupid - such as Queenie in series two or Prince George in the third series.

Roles suitable for William would be few in number, admitted Robinson. "I think he would have to play himself, don't you?" he said.

Robinson played downtrodden peasant Baldrick in the 1980s comedy and he confessed he fell back in to character as he was knighted for his public and political services.

"I messed it up completely - I forgot that you were supposed to bow at the beginning, I was just stood there and I was looking at HRH and he was looking at me," he said.

"I stepped forward and knelt. Then I went the wrong way. A little bit of Baldrick crept over me when I was receiving my knighthood."

There are understood to be no plans for a new series of Blackadder.