The upcoming TV musical of Prince Andrew's life has been promoted by Channel 4 on a mobile billboard outside the Woking branch of Pizza Express, which the Duke of York infamously referred to in his BBC Newsnight interview.
A van – which had the slogan “If you miss it, you’d better have a decent alibi” – appeared outside Pizza Express in Woking, Surrey, on Thursday morning, which was a reference to his disastrous interview with journalist Emily Maitlis, 52.
Prince Andrew: The Musical, starring Kieran Hodgson, features a cast of comics and drag queens and is described as a “satirical send-up” set to seven original musical numbers.
Queen Elizabeth II's son, 62, stepped down from public life in November 2019 amid the fallout from the BBC interview about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in August that year.
The Duke denied claims that he had sex with Virginia Giuffre, who said she was trafficked by Epstein on three separate occasions, including when she was 17 – still a minor under US law.
Virginia said one alleged encounter began with the duke sweating heavily as they danced at London nightclub Tramp.
But Andrew told Emily Maitlis he had a medical condition at the time which meant he did not sweat, and that he had no recollection of ever meeting Ms Giuffre.
He also insisted he spent the day taking one of his daughters to the Pizza Express in Woking for a party.
Andrew later settled his US sexual assault case out of court, although the agreement was not an admission of guilt from the duke and he has always strenuously denied the allegations against him.
In the hour-long TV musical, Emily will be played by actress and comedian Emma Sidi, known for Starstruck and Stath Lets Flats.
Actors Munya Chawawa, Harry Enfield and Joe Wilkinson also feature in the musical.
This year’s festivities in the Royal family will be particularly poignant for Andrew, King Charles lll, the Princess Royal, Anne, and Prince Edward, with it being his first Christmas since the death of their mother, Queen Elizabeth ll.
And ahead of the Christmas period, royal expert Jennie Bond said it was "unlikely" Andrew would have an invitation to Sandringham.
"Christmas is always such a difficult time for families, as people are pulled in all directions, so I don’t know if Andrew and Fergie [Sarah, Duchess of York] would suddenly be invited,” the 72 year old journalist said.
Senior royals who were expected to attend included Anne, 72, and his youngest brother and his wife, the Duke, 58, and Countess of Wessex, 57.
Prince Andrew: The Musical launches on Thursday night at 9pm on Channel 4 and will then be available to stream on All 4.
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