For those too young too remember - Frank was the endearing fool from the 70s sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em.

With his black beret, beige mac, wide-eyed expression and catchphrase of "Ooh Betty" the bumbling Frank became one of the best loved TV characters of the 1970s and one of the most widely imitated by impressionists.

The 56-year-old actor Michael Crawford is reviving the character that made him famous in a guest appearance on BBC One's Noel's House Party.

Producers are keeping the exact details of Saturday's show under wraps.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "It's a huge coup for the show and we're delighted that he has decided to celebrate 25 years since he first appeared as Frank Spencer with us."

There were three series of the hit comedy as well as three Christmas specials from 1973-1978.

Crawford did all his own stunts and was involved in some hair-raising slapstick antics.

These included clinging to a car while precariously overhanging a cliff and also dangling from a window cleaner's cradle on a tower block.

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em was a huge hit. A repeat of one episode in 1979 managed to attract 20.4 million viewers.

Frank Spencer transformed Crawford into a household name but these days he is much better known for his roles in the stage hits Barnum and Phantom of the Opera.

Crawford is currently in Britain promoting a video and album of his singing in concert.