In the world of Italian film, he enjoys a reputation roughly equivalent to that of Benny Hill. But that did not stop an Italian actor renowned for starring in a series of low-cost, ribald comedies involving scantily-clad women, improbable plots and slap-stick humour, from being appointed to a prestigious Unesco commission this week.

The populist coalition’s decision to appoint Lino Banfi to a body that is supposed to promote the cultural and scientific work of the Paris-based organisation was greeted with disbelief and derision by opposition politicians.

“This is how the coalition takes the mickey out of Italians in 2019,” said Maurizio Martina, the head of the centre-Left Democratic Party.

Italy has 54 World Heritage sites – more than any other country – and the work of Unesco is taken seriously.

Even the diminutive Mr Banfi, 82, whose films include The Night Nurse and Sex on the Brain, was surprised to have been selected for the Italian National Commission, which promotes Unesco’s work.