Jack Whitehall hailed 'a hero' for mocking Prince Harry and Harry Styles at Royal Variety
JACK WHITEHALL well and truly had the entire nation in the palm of his hand during tonight's Royal Variety Performance as the internet burst into fits of laughter over his "banter" with Prince Harry and One Direction.
Jack Whitehall hailed a hero for mocking Prince Harry
The British comedian wasn't at all intimated by his royal audience and made dig after dig towards the fifth in line for the throne; and the audience - including his royal highness - loved it.
As the crowd drowned out the London Paladium with roars of laughter, the prince was seen playfully shaking his head and wagging his finger at the Bad Education star.
Jack began: "I don't think there is anybody who wouldn't want Prince Harry to be put in charge of the country for a week. Can you imagine? It would be like when parents leave the kids at home to go on holiday."
The League of Their Own panelist then broke into a segment on why the Brits have such a soft spot for the red-head.
Jack Whitehall talking about Prince Harry at The Royal Variety Show
The comedian didn't hold back when it came to the prince
He continued: "Now you have done some incredible things of course; the work you've done for charity and you've served your country with distinction in the British army. But most importantly, when we look at you, we know that if you were one of our friends, you would be one of the lads.
"You are the kind of guy who after a night out, doesn't see a shopping trolley but a ride home. You are the kind of guy who sneaks out of the shower to hide other people's clothes. You are the kind of guy, who when one of your friends passes out drunk, you take a step back and take control. You'd go 'Guys, I've got this. You, get a camera phone, you get a razor... those eyebrows are coming with me!'
"You may only be a prince but when it comes to banter, all hail the king!"
The Bad Education star dressed up as Harry Styles
He then made sure to clarify, adding: "I wasn't trying to belittle anything you do in the army there by the way. I mean, that was an amazing achievement.
"I think you're the first person to get a Victoria Cross for bravery just for stepping out of the shade in Afghanistan... I mean a ginger in that heat!"
From one Harry to another, One Direction's Harry Styles also faced a public roasting by the comic, who later in the night dressed up in the singer's trademark get-up and offered to step in as the group's missing fifth member.
Harry took the jibes in his stride
After Liam protested he'd need to shave off his chest hair to make it in the four-piece, he replied: “I would be taking this from a boyband to a man band. That, my friend, is called puberty."
Twitter was awash with praise for the host's performance with hundreds calling his routine "brilliant".
The evening saw performances from Jack's "man band" One Direction, Little Mix and pop princess Kylie Minogue.
You may only be a prince, but when it comes to banter...all hail the King! @jackwhitehall had me in stitches all night!
— Hawken (@LauraHawken1) December 8, 2015
@jackwhitehall def the best Royal Variety yet. And definately the best ever host. See you in new years honours???
— Colin Pearce (@colinp23uk) December 8, 2015