Geoffrey Hughes, who played Twiggy in The Royle Family, has landed a new role with the real royal family.

65 year old Geoffrey has been appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the Isle of Wight, which according to the Press Association makes him “the official link between the island and royalty at formal engagements.”

An Isle of Wight Council spokesman told the PA, “Mr Hughes, who lives near Newport, was a regular visitor to the island before moving here with his wife Susan in 2003…

“Keen on boating, he has an interest in natural history and the island’s bio-diversity and is patron of the Red Squirrel Trust.

“He is also an active supporter of many local charities and organisations, including the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Cowes Inshore Lifeboat, the RNLI and St Mary’s Hospital.”

Aww! Well done Geoffrey! I wonder what Twiggy would make of it? I’m sure Jim’s opinion would be, “Deputy Lord Lieutenant my ar*e! It’s all a bloody swizz!”