Keith Allen has come forward claiming he served as the inspiration for one of Banksy’s most iconic images, posed unclothed from a building pole within a studio environment.

The Welsh entertainer launched his career through the alternative comedy circuit of the 1980s before securing roles in productions such as Shallow Grave and Trainspotting.

His television work includes Robin Hood and The Pembrokeshire Murders, and he is the father of musician Lily Allen and actor Alfie Allen.

Allen has now declared that the elusive street artist positioned him unclothed from a scaffolding pole specifically for this renowned artwork.

The unidentified creator has recently dominated headlines following reports that his true identity had been uncovered.

A Reuters investigation indicates the artist is likely Robin Gunningham, a Bristol native who subsequently took the name David Jones.

Allen has challenged this identification in theatrical fashion by maintaining that the celebrated Well Hung Lover piece in Bristol was modelled on his own appearance.

Promoting karaoke and poker gatherings through Facebook in the Cotswold area, Allen indicated that with all the recent focus on Banksy’s identity, he wanted to clarify that the artwork on Frogmore Street in Bristol titled Well Hung Lover depicted him. Beside it hung a framed copy of the original stencil sketch bearing the inscription you make a beautiful muse, complete with Banksy’s signature. He was photographed unclothed suspended from a scaffolding pole in a Vauxhall studio for that image. The individual being named as Banksy was certainly not him, as Allen had collaborated with the artist on numerous occasions. Drawing on this attention, Allen was attempting to gauge interest in his poker evening at the Cotswold Club on Thursday, April 16, which could become a regular weekly or fortnightly occasion. He also reminded followers about Korshookaan Karaoke at the venue that Friday, expressing hope to see them there, noting he would be clothed on this occasion.

Beyond the Well Hung Lover artwork situated on Frogmore Street, Banksy has produced some of the world’s most distinctive street art.

The Girl with Balloon image, frequently paired with the caption There is always hope, transformed into an emblem of lost innocence after a version self-destructed during an auction.

Other significant works encompass the Flower Thrower in Jerusalem, the Kissing Coppers formerly exhibited in Brighton, and the Mild Mild West mural in Bristol.

He has additionally created politically driven pieces on the West Bank barrier and established major projects including Dismaland and the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem.