The Mail on Sunday

Blackadder Junior Goes Forth

Rowan’s son ready for action as he wins a place at Sandhurst

- By Charlotte Griffiths DIARY EDITOR

AS CUNNING Army officer Blackadder, Rowan Atkinson did everything he could to dodge the blood and bullets of the First World War trenches.

But the actor’s son has no such fears about the perils of life in the military – as he prepares to take up a place at the Royal Military Academy.

Ben Atkinson, 22, was told last week that he had been accepted at Sandhurst, the prestigiou­s officers’ training school, where both Prince William and Prince Harry earned their military spurs.

Sharing the news on Facebook, Ben showed that he has inherited some of his father’s sense of humour by posting: ‘Dunno what this letter is but apparently The Royal Military Academy want me to come and attend them. Sounds like fun.’

There are no hints that Ben has any inclinatio­n towards following his father into acting, however, although snaps posted of him on Facebook show that there may be a trace of one or two Blackadder characters in his make-up.

One picture could be a modern-day version of Baldrick, Blackadder’s hapless sidekick through the ages, as action man Ben, in uniform and with rifle at the ready, appears to taking a nap after an exercise. Another could be lusty Lord Flashheart, as dashing, tuxedoclad Ben poses alongside two young women who appear to be very pleased to meet him.

Exeter University graduate Ben will have had to complete rigorous physical and mental tests to impress the Army Officer Selection Board and is expected to begin his 44-week training course next year.

Last year, Rowan, 61 – said to be worth £100million thanks to success in Blackadder and the Mr Bean franchise – divorced Ben’s mother Sunetra after 24 years of marriage.

He now lives with his partner – actress Louise Ford, 32 – who recently played the Duchess of Cambridge in Channel 4 satirical comedy The Windsors.

 ??  ?? SLEEPER CELL: Ben takes a quick nap after an exercise. Right: Out on the town with two womenTHAT’S MORE LIKE BALDRICK...
SLEEPER CELL: Ben takes a quick nap after an exercise. Right: Out on the town with two womenTHAT’S MORE LIKE BALDRICK...
 ??  ?? ...AND THAT’S MORE LIKE FLASHHEART
...AND THAT’S MORE LIKE FLASHHEART
 ??  ?? DOUBLE ACT: Dad Rowan as Blackadder with sidekick Baldrick, played by Tony Robinson
DOUBLE ACT: Dad Rowan as Blackadder with sidekick Baldrick, played by Tony Robinson

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