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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Mia O'Hare

Keith Lemon star stuns One Show fans as Leigh Francis appears as himself for first time

Keith Lemon stunned viewers on the BBC One Show as his creator Leigh Francis appeared as himself for the first time.

It was comedian Leigh's debut on the BBC show as himself rather than his character.

Viewers were surprised to see a more subdued figure compared to the loud, brash, large hat wearing alter ego.

Leigh was introduced as himself on the live show, as he said: "Isn't that weird? When I hear my name it's weird."

He was on the programme alongside hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas to announce a new UK tour.

The TV presenter also revealed his age, adding: "Someone online said I'd put so much timber on. Isn't that kind? That's because I'm old. I'm 50.

Leigh Francis appeared on The One Show (BBC)

"I'm only going to get more timber I'm sure. I'm starting to look like Richard Attenborough. Welcome to Jurassic Park!

"Do you know what the PR person said? 'Don't wear a hat so they can distinguish that you're not Keith Lemon you're Leigh Francis.'

"Now my face looks even fatter. Look at the size of my forehead, it's like a knee. I've got three knees - I just caught it on that monitor."

Some viewers were left stunned as they didn't realise Keith Lemon was a real person rather than a character.

One said: "I prefer Leigh Francis as himself." Another wrote: "I had no idea there was a real Keith Lemon."

The comedian hit fame with his Big Brother obsessed character Avid Merrion, who also appeared in the Bo Selecta series.

When that show ended, Leigh found further success with his new alter ego Keith Lemon.

He fronted Celebrity Juice as Keith, which was hugely popular throughout its 14 year run.

Keith Lemon hit screens on Celebrity Juice (ITV)

The surprise announcement came earlier last year, when the comedy character shared a statement to Twitter, writing: “After 14 years, 26 series, 300 eps Celeb Juice is concluding later this year with two farewell specials.

“Thank you so so much to everyone who watched, to the team captains, guests, crew and itv2. It was the longest most fun party! I had a wonderful time. Big love x”

Yet Leigh - as Keith Lemon - explained ITV ‘probably’ made the decision to cancel the show because he had ‘got too old’.

He explained: “I don’t know who the guests are anymore. I say, ‘who is that?’ They’re from TikTok. I don’t know who they are. I always forget the names.”

Celebrity Juice first hit our screens in 2008 with Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby appearing as team captains.

The show originally was centred around the week's tabloid news, before it eventually evolved to include games and challenges.

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