A different kind of comic strip: comedian warms up with Manchester City before Everton game

Jason Bent, Simon Brodkin's spoof footballer, being taken off the pitch (Reuters)

Simon Brodkin may be known as the star of BBC3’s Lee Nelson’s Well Funny People, but now he’s found a new avenue of fame, as a sporting prankster.

The comic, in full kit as Jason Bent, a spoof footballer character, made his way on to the pitch at Goodison Park on Saturday before Everton’s match with Manchester City. Brodkin, a City fan, warmed up with the team, before being arrested and charged with pitch encroachment.

The incident recalls the actions of Karl Power, who, in 2001, not only blagged his way on to the pitch before Manchester United’s match against Bayern Munich, but also lined up with the team for an official photo. However, he didn’t stop there. During a Test match between England and Australia at Headingley that summer, Power turned up in full cricket gear and walked towards the crease. And in 2002, he jumped on to the winner’s podium at the British Grand Prix, and had a “knock-up” with a mate on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

Brodkin, who will appear before a community justice centre next month, has a way to go if he wants to keep up with his United-supporting counterpart…