One Show fans baffled as Keith Lemon star Leigh Francis appears as himself for the first time and reveals his real age

THE One Show viewers were baffled when Leigh Francis appeared tonight - instead of his alter-ego Keith Lemon.

It is the first time the comedian has gone on the BBC show as himself rather than a character.

So instead of the brash Keith, famous for wearing large hats and sporting a bandage on his hand, viewers saw a quieter figure.

Leigh said, after being introduced as himself: "Isn't that weird? When I hear my name it's weird."

He appeared alongside The One Show hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas to announce a new UK tour.

The star opened up about his age, saying: "Someone online said I'd put so much timber on. Isn't that kind? That's because I'm old. I'm 50.

"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 said they didn't know there was a difference between Leigh and his alter-ego, saying they thought Keith Lemon was a real person rather than a creation.

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

The comedian found early success with Avid Merrion, his Big Brother obsessed character, who also appeared in the cult series Bo Selecta.

Once the series ended he made Keith Lemon, another character from the show, a star thanks to the popularity of the quiz Celebrity Juice.

The show was a huge success, running from 2008 until its final espiode in December last year.