'I avoid shows about royalty': Prince William makes 'Tiger King' quip as he displays comedy chops in TV appearance

The British royal made a surprise cameo in the BBC's 'Big Night In' charity show

Prince William made a surprise appearance in BBC charity show, 'The Big Night In'. BBC / YouTUbe

He's second-in-line to the British throne, as well as a keen philanthropist, qualified helicopter pilot and sportsman.

And now Prince William can add budding comedian to his CV, too.

The British royal made a surprise appearance on the BBC's Big Night In, a charity special that screened on the UK broadcaster on Thursday evening.

The three-hour programme, organised with charities Children in Need and Comic Relief, brought together a host of famous faces as it raised funds to help people affected by the pandemic.

Appeals throughout the evening raised £24 million (Dh122m), with the British government pledging to match the same amount in a donation.

Funds raised will go towards causes supporting vulnerable people around the UK whose lives have been affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Here's a closer look at Prince William's comedy debut, as well as four other highlights from the star-studded programme.

1. Prince William shows off acting chops on Zoom

The heir took part in a spoof video chat with comedian Stephen Fry, who was in character as Lord Melchett – a descendent of his role in classic sitcom Blackadder.

In the almost-six-minute video, the two discuss self-isolating, with Fry asking the Duke of Cambridge how home-schooling his three children was going.

"It's a bit of a nightmare," joked the royal, who asked Fry for TV recommendations to keep him occupied.

When the former QI host suggested Netflix documentary Tiger King, about controversial zoo owner Joe Exotic, William replied: "I avoid shows about royalty."

Prince William was also joined by the Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, in the clip, with the family standing on their doorstep to applaud the NHS key workers fighting Covid-19 on the front lines.

2. An A-list crowd of musicians debuted a new charity single

The BBC special featured the premiere of a video for an official charity single, bringing together some of music's most famous faces.

Artists including Dua Lipa, Chris Martin, Ellie Goulding and Dermot Kennedy feature on the cover of Foo Fighters' track Times Like These.

The band's frontman Dave Grohl also joins in on the cover performance, with the video created from a series of segments recorded from artists' homes.

Proceeds from the single will go towards charity.

3. Peter Kay assembles key workers to join him in Amarillo

The Phoenix Nights actor and comedian had a number one hit in the UK back in 2005 with his cover of Tony Christie's (Is This The Way To) Amarillo.

And for The Big Night In, Kay rounded up healthcare and essential-services workers to join him in a new version of the video.

He also shared an understanding for people unable to donate, saying in the clip: "If you can't, then don't worry about it. You've got enough going on."

4. Dawn French revived the Vicar of Dibley

Thirteen years after the British sitcom left screens, comedienne French brought the beloved vicar Geraldine Granger back to life for the BBC special.

The actress delivered a faux sermon in a video-recorded message, and also reminisced on some of the Vicar of Dibley's funniest moments.

There were also some tender, poignant moments, as French delivered a message of positivity among the pandemic.

"Life goes on, and this will pass," she said. "It's right, really, that we shouldn't dwell too much on the sadness, but try and think about all the happiness."

5. The Doctors will see you now

Doctor Whos past and present, including Jodie Whittaker, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi and David Tennant, assembled to share their thanks to the medics fighting the coronavirus at UK hospitals.

"[We're here] to praise, salute and give heartfelt thanks to real-life, special doctors, nurses and everyone working on the front lines in our NHS and care homes and hospices," they said in a spliced-together clip.