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The Queen's favourite film? Flash Gordon, according to Brian Blessed

It is a rather incongruous image; the 94-year-old monarch setting down to watch her favourite 1980s sci-fi adventure about a battle on planet Mongo.

But Brian Blessed has claimed that Flash Gordon is the Queen’s favourite film and that she watches it every Christmas with her grandchildren.

The actor, who stars in the cult classic as Prince Vultan, made the startling revelation in an interview about the film’s 40th anniversary.

Flash Gordon - said to be the Queen's favourite film
Flash Gordon - said to be the Queen's favourite film

“Everywhere I go, they all want me to say ‘Gordon’s alive!’”, he told broadcaster Edith Bowman.

“The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, horses and queens and prime ministers, they all want me to say ‘Gordon’s alive!’, it’s their favourite film.”

He continued: “The Queen, it’s her favourite film, she watches it with her grandchildren every Christmas.”

Implored by co-star Sam J Jones, who plays Flash Gordon, to tell the story of how “even the Queen of England” had wanted him to say it, Blessed dutifully assumed her accent.

“You know, we watch Flash Gordon all the time, me and the grandchildren,” he quoted the monarch as saying.

“And if you don’t mind, I’ve got the grandchildren here, would you mind saying ‘Gordon’s alive’?”

It is not known when the Queen made the alleged disclosure but she appointed Blessed an OBE for services to arts and charity in 2016.

The Queen awards Brian Blessed an OBE -  Jonathan Brady/PA
The Queen awards Brian Blessed an OBE - Jonathan Brady/PA

There have been several rumours about royal viewing habits over the years, with the monarch’s favourite film variously described as Shirley Valentine, Yellow Submarine and Genevieve, the story of a vintage-car rally.

Flash Gordon, based on a 1930s cartoon strip, tells the story of an American football hero who finds himself pitted against planet Mongo’s emperor, Ming the Merciless, who is intent on destroying Earth. It boasts a score by Queen and is often described as a camp, big budget fantasy with cheesy special effects.

The news that the film has been remastered to mark its anniversary might give the Queen something to celebrate during her summer holiday at Balmoral.

A clearly amused Buckingham Palace spokeswoman insisted they did not comment on the Queen’s private conversations but said she had no idea if it was true.