PM 'will promote tourism'

Tony Blair is to appear in The Simpsons.

He recorded three lines of dialogue for the show on Friday - immediately attracting criticism for becoming involved in a cartoon while British troops are fighting in Iraq.

Downing Street insists the appearance, during an episode in which the family visits the UK, will provide a boon for UK tourism.

However previous episodes set outside Springfield have hardly proved good advertisements for the countries involved. One show almost sparked a diplomatic incident for portraying Brazil as a crime-ridden country where Americans were routinely kidnapped.

Blair recorded his piece for an episode provisionally titled The Regina Monologues after attending a passing-out parade of young cadets at Sandhurst military academy.

The Downing Street spokesman said: "The programme makers were in the UK to make the episode. It took up a short amount of time."

In appearing in the comedy, Blair is following in the footsteps of Margaret Thatcher - who famously played herself in a sketch from Yes, Prime Minister.

Published: 12 Apr 2003