'I had a strip tease routine planned': Sacha Baron Cohen reveals he 'regrets' not giving ex-Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd a lap dance on Rove McManus' talk show

By Jo Scrimshire For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 03:54 EST, 11 March 2016 | Updated: 04:20 EST, 11 March 2016

He's the outrageous funnyman known for stitching up politicians and celebrities under his various comic guises.

But there's one prank that Sacha Baron Cohen regrets not doing - because he was scared of making an 'international incident'.

The Grimsby star, 44, revealed during an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit this week that he 'wimped out of' giving ex-Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd a lap dance when they were both booked to appear on TV show Rove Live together in 2009.

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Missed opportunity? Sacha Baron Cohen (pictured) revealed on a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session this week that he regrets not performing a surprise lap dance for ex-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd when they both appeared on the same episode of Rove back in 2009, when the comedian was promoting his new film Brüno
Missed opportunity? Sacha Baron Cohen revealed on a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session this week that he regrets not performing a surprise lap dance for ex-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (pictured) when they both appeared on the same episode of Rove back in 2009, when the comedian was promoting his new film Brüno

Missed opportunity? Sacha Baron Cohen (L) revealed on a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session this week that he regrets not performing a surprise lap dance for ex-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (R) when they both appeared on the same episode of Rove back in 2009, when the comedian was promoting his new film Brüno

When a fan asked, 'Do you regret doing anything at all that you've ever done?', the London-born comedian responded that there was actually something he regretted NOT doing.

Sacha then revealed how he planned a surprise 'strip tease' for the former Labour Party leader while in character as flamboyantly gay Austrian fashionista Brüno on Rove McManus' talk show.

He replied: 'Yes. There was something that I regret not doing... I was on this Australian late night talk show, and the talent booker had made a massive mistake. 

Flamboyant: Sacha - pictured here on Rove while in character as Brüno - did not appear on-camera at the same time as Kevin Rudd - but recently confessed he planned a 'strip tease' for the ex-Labour Party leader

Flamboyant: Sacha - pictured here on Rove while in character as Brüno - did not appear on-camera at the same time as Kevin Rudd - but recently confessed he planned a 'strip tease' for the ex-Labour Party leader

Outrageous: He dressed up as his comic alter ego Brüno - a flamboyantly gay Austrian fashionista - but 'wimped out' before performing a lap dance for the two-time Australian Prime Minister, he told fans on Reddit

Outrageous: He dressed up as his comic alter ego Brüno - a flamboyantly gay Austrian fashionista - but 'wimped out' before performing a lap dance for the two-time Australian Prime Minister, he told fans on Reddit

'He booked the Australian Prime Minister on the same talk show I was doing,' he added.

The Da Ali G Show star continued: 'And I had a strip tease routine fully planned, including tearaway pants and this G-string. 

'My intention was to lap dance the Prime Minister of Australia, and stick my crotch in his face.'

Quite a difference! Kevin Rudd's interview segment on the same episode was a far more toned-down affair - and thanks to threats from his security didn't feature any bawdy interruptions

Quite a difference! Kevin Rudd's interview segment on the same episode was a far more toned-down affair - and thanks to threats from his security didn't feature any bawdy interruptions

Relieved: Sacha admitted that if he had gone ahead with the stunt, it would have been an 'international incident' and he could risk being 'barred from Australia'

Relieved: Sacha admitted that if he had gone ahead with the stunt, it would have been an 'international incident' and he could risk being 'barred from Australia'

Satire: Sacha, who is married to Australian actress Isla Fisher, has since retired the character Brüno - who served as his means to mock the supposedly image-obsessed fashion industry

Satire: Sacha, who is married to Australian actress Isla Fisher, has since retired the character Brüno - who served as his means to mock the supposedly image-obsessed fashion industry

Sacha, who is married to Australian actress Isla Fisher, didn't go through with the bawdy stunt because he feared being permanently banned from the country.

He explained: 'It would have been an international incident, and probably would have got me barred from Australia. 

'But, unfortunately, I wimped out of doing it, and eventually was also barred by (Rudd's) own security.' 

Sacha is currently starring in spy comedy Grimsby opposite Mark Strong and Sydney-born actress Rebel Wilson.

Making an entrance: The London-born comedian is known for his commitment to his comic roles, often showing up in character to red carpet events and TV interviews, including Rove

Making an entrance: The London-born comedian is known for his commitment to his comic roles, often showing up in character to red carpet events and TV interviews, including Rove

New project: Sacha (right) is currently starring in spy comedy Grimsby opposite Mark Strong (left) and Sydney-born actress Rebel Wilson

New project: Sacha (right) is currently starring in spy comedy Grimsby opposite Mark Strong (left) and Sydney-born actress Rebel Wilson

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