...and he took the time to write a letter explaining exactly why

Gene Wilder had such a bad time on Frank Skinner’s chat show that he sent a handwritten letter telling the comedian what a terrible interviewer he was.

The pair had an awkward encounter on Skinner’s show in 1997, with none of the comic’s gags landing with the Hollywood star.

Now Skinner has revealed: ‘Afterwards he sent me a handwritten letter saying it was the worst chat he’d ever done.’

And he admitted: ‘I think there was some misjudgement on my part. I had shown three clips from his films on the show – none of which had him in the scene. He didn’t take that well.’

In an interview with The Sun to promote his hosting of Portrait Artist of the Year on Sky Arts, Skinner also revealed that he received just two gifts from guests on the chat show.

‘Martin Kemp bought me a book about Elvis – which he signed even though he hadn’t written it! – and Geri Halliwell bought me six pairs of white Calvin Klein boxer shorts,’ the comic said.

‘There was a video of me dancing in my pants to the Vengaboys, but I was wearing tight white briefs, which Geri really took against. I think she was attempting to turn me into a metropolitan man.’

Published: 23 Jan 2018