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Comedian Harry Hill has invited Exeter bus driver Richard Clevedon Smith to be a guest on his new TV show.

Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule is a madcap quiz show which aims to prevent an alien invasion by filling a special capsule full of funny clips, songs and games.

Watch video of an eagle owl in action below

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Richard, 51, became a bit of a media star in 2016 after he was attacked by a giant Harry Potter Hedwig owl on his way to the bus depot at 4am in Exeter city centre one morning.

Richard re-enacted how he ducked to escape the owl with a 6ft wing span after a spate of sightings across Exeter. Richard thought his shiny bald head may have attracted the eagle with its huge talons.

The picture of Richard appeared all over the world at the time but then the media attention died down - until this week. Now the Stagecoach bus driver and his wife Pia and 18-year-old son Devon are off to London to be filmed for Harry Hill's new TV panel quiz show.

Richard was walking through Southernhay at 4am when the eagle owl with a wingspan of more than 6ft swooped on him. At the time residents in Exeter had reported several sightings of Britain's largest wing predator.

The eagle owl, known by its scientific name bubo bubo, was believed to have disappeared from British skies. But they became a popular pet in recent year among Harry Potter fans due to the love of the fictional wizard's pet Hedwig.

Richard said at the time: “The picture in the Echo was amazing and whenever I meet people they want me to re-enact it, a bit like Mo Farah.

(Image: PA)

“It is amazing how it has taken off – there has even been an approach to appear on a wildlife show. I have been on about five radio shows, I don’t know half of them, and on TV including the local BBC people.

“The best one was probably in Ireland where they thought it was wonderful. That was a good laugh.

“There have been calls from people in Australia saying it’s even been reported over there.

“The main thing is it is a bit of fun. It won’t change me a bit – and the lads on the buses will make sure of that.”

Richard’s wife, Pia, said: “He has come over really well on radio and television but that’s the sort of man he is. He’s one of a kind.”