Joking aside as England take flight

England’s departure for the World Cup was hit by a moment of farce yesterday when comedian Simon Brodkin gatecrashed the travelling party as they arrived at Luton Airport.

Brodkin — best known for his performance as Lee Nelson in two BBC comedy series — was pictured attempting to mingle with England’s players and staff as they waited for their luggage to be removed from the coach which had delivered them to a private terminal at the Bedfordshire airport.

Dressed in an identical suit to those worn by the England travelling party and brandishing a passport, Brodkin spent several moments in close proximity to the players before he appeared to be spotted first by captain Steven Gerrard, after which members of security and local police intervened.