The 13th Duke of Wybourne

The 13th Duke of Wybourne is a fictional character played by the comedian Paul Whitehouse in the popular BBC sketch show "The Fast Show".

The character's sketches consisted of the Duke commenting on his presence in various seemingly compromising, unsuitable locations, usually at 3 o'clock in the morning. These, along with the comments after stating his location, alluded to the fact that he was there "by accident" and that women were present. They included:

* a French maid's finishing school
* a sixth form girls' dormitory
* a student nurses' hall of residence
* a gynaecology department
* a women's prison
* alone with his best friend's wife
* a farm
* in a mortuary

The Duke is usually dressed in a dinner jacket (with tie and collar undone), holding a cigar in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other, making it look as though he has managed to get "lost" after a party and end up in these not-quite-so-random locations by accident.

The appearance of the Duke and his voice and demeanour are modelled on popular gap-toothed comedy actor Terry-Thomas, as Whitehouse himself later admitted.

He always concluded a sketch with the phrase "With "my" reputation?" and another comment. These included:

* Has no one thought of the consequences?
* What do they take me for?
* What were they thinking of?
* Bingo!
* Rather!
* Oh well, penal correctitude it is then!
* Daisy! Daisy! Daddy's home!!

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/fastshow/characters/13th_duke.shtml BBC webpage on The 13th Duke of Wybourne]