Spoof interviewer taking on ‘Fagin’ role

Celebrity scourge Dennis Pennis is to make a TV comeback more than four years after he was killed off.

Creator Paul Kaye, who has since starred in BBC1 drama Two Thousands Acres of Sky, revealed he is working on a new format for the brattish character, making him ‘‘older and wiser’’.

Pennis was seen on BBC2’s The Sunday Show upsetting a string of famous names as he gatecrashed movie premieres and press conferences.

Several of his victims stormed off and Steve Martin cancelled a string of interviews after Pennis asked: ‘‘How come you’re not funny any more?’’

Kaye, 36, told PA the new Pennis would be more likely to be controlling a small team of helpers:

‘‘He’s done his time in the field, now he will have his boys to do his work for him a modern day Fagin.

‘‘I’m bringing Dennis back but with a completely different personality. He will be a cross between Andy Warhol and Rasputin.

‘‘This time around he will be more of a puppet master working behind the scenes as an art guru.’’

‘‘The show is at the early stages but it will be a combination of reality and comedy drama. I think it is time to bring him back although he will be reinvented as an older and wiser man.’’

Other classic Pennis moments included asking singer and actress Cher: ‘‘Has anyone ever told you you’re really beautiful and meant it?’’

He accosted actress Demi Moore to inquire: ‘‘If it wasn’t gratuitous in any way and it was tastefully done, would you consider keeping your clothes on in a movie?’’

Model Naomi Campbell also had a taste when she was asked: ‘‘Can you confirm or deny reports that you said something mildly interesting in an interview once?’’

Kaye can be seen in a new comedy gameshow called Liar which begins on BBC2 on Monday, August 5.