Actor Brian Blessed has condemned the US presidential nominee Donald Trump as a "total, complete utter moron" in an extraordinary outburst.

The actor told ITV News he despaired that a country that had produced so many brilliant minds had instead turned to the "gormless, tasteless" Trump as a potential leader.

And he shared his personal message to the leading Republican in his trademark bellow: "Get a haircut and scram!"

America's full of such brilliant people - brilliant professors, brilliant scientists but you have an appalling, gormless, tasteless, individual like Trump, who really [fart sound] is that, isn't he? Brian Blessed

The 79-year-old actor spoke out after he was given an OBE for services to services to art and charity in a ceremony by the Queen in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Meanwhile, Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton are gearing up for their second TV debate on Sunday ahead of the presidential election.

Polls have shown that it is likely to be a close-run contest.