Brian Blessed threw away a £50m Picasso - because he didn't recognise him

The Flash Gordon actor didn’t believe it was Picasso handing him the drawing

Brian Blessed has said he threw away a Picasso drawing because he didn't think it was very good.

The actor revealed he met the artist when he was 12 at a World Peace Congress held just outside of Sheffield.

Picasso was present and Mr Blessed claims to have raced ahead of everybody and stood in front of the artist.

“I asked, “Are you Picasso?” and he replied, “Yes, I am.” I told him, “You sound more like Carmen Miranda, so if you’re really Picasso, draw me something.” He said, “I will draw you a dove of peace,” which he did and handed it to me. I said, “That shows you’re not Picasso, that’s not a dove!”” Mr Blessed told The Telegraph.

The young Mr Blessed threw the drawing on the floor which was then picked up and presented to the assembly as a symbol of the peace congress of 1948. It now hangs in the Sheffield Gallery.

The picture is worth tens of millions of pounds and Mr Blessed said his father didn't talk to him for a fortnight after the incident.

This isn’t the first time Mr Blessed has made a headline worthy claim. Mr Blessed is also known for being the oldest man in history to reach the magnetic north pole on foot. While on his travels he punched a polar bear in the face.

Last month the Blackadder actor recounted how in 1963 he delivered a baby in Richmond park and bit through the umbilical cord while waiting for an ambulance.