Simon Busuttil has a new ‘award’ for his mantelpiece, having been deemed the second Most Charismatic Maltese Icon by the Comedy Knights yesterday – losing out to a cold qassata.

Dr Busuttil attended the comedy troupe’s annual sketch show at the Salesian Theatre last night, but had no idea he was about to become part of the show.

Director Wesley Ellul said the sketch, which sees the joke award given to Dr Busuttil after the qassata is eaten by one of the cast members, is performed every night. Seeing the Opposition leader in the audience, however, the cast decided to take it up a notch and invited him to receive his award in person.

“He immediately joined us on stage and took it all in good humour,” Mr Ellul said. “Considering we also have a song in the show called ‘Shut up, Simon’, he should have known we weren’t going to give him an easy ride.”

Whether the new award, a miniature replica of the controversial new monument in Castille Square, will occupy pride of place in Dr Busuttil’s home, remains to be seen.