MR BEAN – one of the world’s most popular comedy character creations over the last 20 years – will be making his first ever live public appearance at this month’s Goodwood Revival.

Actor Rowan Atkinson, who is also a regular Goodwood racer, will drive around the Goodwood Motor Circuit in character as Mr Bean each day of the event, September 18-20, as part of a huge parade of Minis to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this iconic British car.

Mr Bean will be driving his distinctive pea green and black Mini sitting in a comfy armchair attached to the roof of the car, using a mop and string to operate the pedals and steering.

Atkinson will recreate this hilarious scene from the Mr Bean television series when the character bought various items in a famous department store sale, including a large armchair, and then realised that it would not fit in his diminutive Mini.

This led to him strapping the chair to the car roof and driving home from his unconventional but lofty perch.

As well as appearing at the Revival as Mr Bean, Atkinson will also be racing an authentic 1965 Austin Mini Cooper S in the St Mary’s Trophy saloon car race, which this year is dedicated to Minis only, recreating the all-Mini races that took place at Goodwood in the early 1960s.

He will also participate in a large 80th birthday tribute to motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss with his Jaguar Mk VI.

The Goodwood Revival is the largest and most successful historic motor race meeting in the world and the only one of its kind to take place entirely to a period theme.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Mini car will be just one of the highlights of this year’s Revival. Goodwood will also be celebrating the 80th birthday of ‘Mr Goodwood’ himself, Sir Stirling Moss, with 80 of the 96 vehicles he campaigned during his racing career being displayed at the event.

The Revival will also see a celebration of the mini skirt, with female visitors being encouraged to wear theirs and stroll along a recreation of Carnaby Street in the Swinging 60s, especially on the Revival Ladies Day, being held on Saturday September 19.