'Prince Philip is the 007 we never knew we needed': Twitter falls in love with the Duke as unseen home videos reveal his younger playful AND hunky side - while he 'mugs off' Philip Schofield in a TV interview crammed with 'serious banter' 

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For decades he has has stood alongside his wife and upheld the dignified and proper image of the Royal Family - albeit it with a few awkward moments thrown in.

But in a special documentary looking back at his life last night, Prince Philip's softer side was revealed as footage showed the Duke of Edinburgh as a playful parent.

Viewers also took to social media to comment on how 'dashing' the Duke of Edinburgh looked in his youth, with some even comparing him in his naval uniform to James Bond. 

The previously unseen images looked back at the 1960s and touching moments between the Royal couple and their children, with Philip even seen bowling cow pats for a young Prince Charles to bat away.

The Duke of Edinburgh was also shown messing around in his bathing suit aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, sliding along the wet deck. 

His skills behind the barbecue were also praised by his family, who said he remained a wonderful cook despite his advancing years.

A new documentary marking the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award has revealed Prince Philip's playful side, including footage of him messing about aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, pictured

Another clip appeared to show the Duke of Edinburgh bowling cow pats, pictured, at a young Prince Charles who was batting them away

The young Prince of Wales, pictured, was also featured in the previously unseen family footage playing with friends and family

Some viewers compared the young Prince Philip to James Bond, commenting on how handsome he looked in his youth, pictured

His youthful good looks drew much praise on Twitter from those who compared him to the British hero secret agent

Others mocked presenter Phillip Schofield's treatment at the hands of the Duke, claiming he 'mugged off' the This Morning host

The documentary was presented by one of the giants of daytime television, Phillip Schofield, but met his match when offered the interview of a lifetime with Prince Philip.

In a one-hour special shown last night to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE), the notoriously dour – and sometime cantankerous – prince made clear he had little time for Schofield's apparent sycophancy.

When the presenter revealed he would take part in a wing walk to raise funds for the scheme, Philip, in his typically pithy manner, asked: 'Who is trying to get rid of you?' 

He then added brusquely: 'Are you going to stand there on the wing and say 'hello folks'? I wouldn't open your mouth if I were you.' 

In another conversation, in answer to a particularly obvious question, a dismissive Philip replied: 'What am I supposed to say?'

But Schofield is not the only celebrity to have drawn the duke's ire. Comedian David Walliams told the programme he had been called a 'nut' by Philip in front of his mother.

Recalling his meeting with the Duke and the Queen, Walliams said: 'It was the year that I swam the Channel and he asked, 'Is this the nut who swam the channel?'

'And he went, to my mum, "Any more nuts in your family?" To which my mum said, "No, just the one Prince Philip," as he walked out the door.'

In a one-hour special shown last night to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE), the notoriously dour – and sometime cantankerous – prince made clear he had little time for Schofield's apparent sycophancy

A screening of home footage of the Royal Family includes Prince Philip playing with his sons and, in one scene, he lobs what appears to be dried cow pats at Charles to bat away with a stick

A black and white photograph of the Queen and Prince Philip on their 1947 wedding day is featured in the ITV documentary 

This photograph of a young Prince Philip painting is also shown as the documentary tracks his work with the DofE Award 

But there is little doubt that even at the grand old age of 95, Philip is still very much on the ball.

After one interview, the visibly impressed Schofield told the cameras: 'He is as sharp as a pin. There was no question, more so than any interview that I've ever done in my life, I was just thinking: one false move, one wrong word and he is going to be on me like a terrier.'

Other celebrity tributes to the prince include actress Joanna Lumley, who said: 'I think he is an extraordinary character. He rides, sails, drives horses, fishes and swims and does stuff. He really could have been James Bond, actually.

'And he was a naval commander as well, like Commander Bond. He is good fun to be around but he is quite shy. I think sometimes at some huge event I have seen him say, 'Oh God I have to do that.' But then he puts his head up, chin out and goes and does it.'

Meanwhile The Countess of Wessex gave a rare insight into the royal couple's relationship when she said: 'For her to have found somebody like him, I don't think she could have chosen better.

'And they make each other laugh - which is, you know, it's half the battle, isn't it?'

'Could have been Bond': The prince and Joanna Lumley (pictured), who said: 'I think he is an extraordinary character. He rides, sails, drives horses, fishes and swims and does stuff. He really could have been James Bond, actually'

Royals including Sophie, Countess of Wessex (left), and Prince Edward (right) share stories about the prince on the ITV show

When Phillip Met Prince Philip: The television host met his match when he interviewed the Duke of Edinburgh

'Called me a nut': Comedian David Walliams told the programme he had been called a 'nut' by Prince Philip in front of his mother

Sophie, who is married to the couple's youngest son Prince Edward,told Scholfield: 'He's been a fantastic life partner for her.'

Philip's light-hearted nature was on display in the ITV show. 

At one official event, he said: 'You're going to see the world's most experienced plaque unveiler at work.'

In another funny moment, he scared Schofield when summoning him over at St James's Palace, causing the presenter to believe he was 'in trouble'.

But instead he simply introduced him to another air travel enthusiast and then walked off.

The Duke of Edinburgh said it was 'very gratifying' to see so many people complete the award challenge over the years.

He added: 'I think this sort of experience will help anybody. Children come into the world completely ignorant. At least this gives them some idea of what the world is like.'

It was in 1939 that Princess Elizabeth was said to have fallen for her distant cousin, when they met at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon.

Dashing, blond-haired, athletic 18-year-old Philip caught the princess's eye as he entertained her by jumping over tennis nets. They married in 1947.

The king's official biographer, Sir John Wheeler-Bennett, recalled: 'This was the man with whom Princess Elizabeth had been in love from their first meeting.'

Their marriage is seen as a crucial part of the monarchy. 

On their golden wedding anniversary in 1997, the Queen paid a touching tribute to her husband, saying: 'He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years.'

The documentary also showed footage, some of it rarely seen in public, of Philip as a young man. 

Sophie, Countess of Wessex (pictured with Phillip Schofield) is one member of the Royal Family who shares stories of the Duke

After one interview, the visibly impressed Schofield told the cameras: 'He is as sharp as a pin. There was no question, more so than any interview that I've ever done in my life'

The television presenter said: 'I was just thinking: one false move, one wrong word and he is going to be on me like a terrier'

Home video shot by Elizabeth showed Philip playing with their children as a hands-on, fun father.

Now aged 95, the Prince has attended more than 200 official events in 2016 alone.

Many of those events have been in connection with the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, which is celebrating its 60th birthday.

Young people can work towards a bronze, silver or gold award by volunteering, playing sports, learning a skill, and going on an expedition.

The Duke said in the documentary: 'Children come into the world completely ignorant with no experience. At least this gives them some idea of what life is like.'

At one point in the programme Schofield attends a private screening at the British Film Institute of home footage of the Royal Family.

It includes Prince Philip playing with his sons and, in one scene, he lobs what appears to be dried cow pats at Charles to bat away with a stick.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award was founded by Philip in 1956 to encourage young people to push themselves. The scheme has now expanded to 144 countries.

Feeling brave, the presenter decided to celebrate 60 years of the Duke of Edinburgh's award by doing a wing walk

The hour-long special, When Phillip met Prince Philip: 60 Years of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, was on ITV last night

The actress told Schofield: ''And he was a naval commander as well, like Commander Bond. He is good fun to be around but he is quite shy'