LONDON — Sacha Baron Cohen rolled into London for the world premiere of “The Dictator” in style Thursday, standing in a bright orange Lamborghini flashing a replica golden pistol and dressed in a garish military uniform.

His new character follows in the footsteps of Ali G, Borat and Bruno, and sees the 40-year-old comedian play Admiral General Aladeen – a freedom hating military dictator of the fictitious North African republic of Wadia.

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In character, British actor Sacha Baron Cohen arrives for the world premiere of "The Dictator," at a central London cinema Thursday. The Associated Press

Prince Charles does the weather for the BBC. The Associated Press

Howard Stern

Baron Cohen, who is known to court controversy, attended the event at the Royal Festival Hall in character and didn’t disappoint his fans. Speaking at the premiere, he joked that he was the real father of Prince Harry.

He also said that he “was friendly with Prince Charles’ ex-wife,” the late Princess Diana. He then went on to speak about President Barack Obama’s recent announcement that he supports gay marriage.

The actor quipped, “Well I am very happy that Obama is endorsing gay marriage because it means that he is finally going to bless the union of (Nick) Clegg and your David Cameron,” referring to the deputy prime minister and the prime minister who are in a coalition government.

The film also stars Megan Fox, Ben Kingsley, John C. Reilly and Anna Faris.

Faris spoke about what it was like working with Baron Cohen, who she says stays in character for most of the time. She said “we do improv like 90 percent of the time and so as an actor you are forced to be on your toes.”

The film’s director Larry Charles, who worked with Baron Cohen on “Bruno” and “Borat,” has got to see what the real Sacha Baron Cohen is really like.

Charles said, “He’s actually a very sweet, real, gentle down to earth person in real life and wants the world to be a better place, believe it or not, and that’s part of the reason that we do these movies – to show the hypocrisy, show the things that people should be questioning. We want to help people question those things.”

Prince Charles predicts the weather

LONDON – If this king thing doesn’t work out, Prince Charles may be able to fall back on a budding career as a weather man.

The heir to the British throne and his wife, Camilla, gave it a try Thursday, each reading out weather reports during a visit to BBC studios in Glasgow, Scotland.

The sight of the nattily dressed Charles giving a credible performance in the unfamiliar role caused many Britons to do a double-take as he read the lunchtime news weather spot. Palace officials say Charles and Camilla were visiting the studios to mark the 60-year anniversary of BBC TV Scotland.

Stern promises he’ll behave as ‘Talent’ judge

NEW YORK – New “America’s Got Talent” judge Howard Stern says that his critics should watch before attacking him.

Stern debuts Monday as Piers Morgan’s replacement on NBC’s summertime talent show. Yet a group that calls attention to bad language and risque content on television has already written to advertisers asking them to stay away. The Parents Television Council said the radio shock jock’s addition “will likely result in a sharp increase in explicit content.”

In an hour-long, expletive-free news conference on Thursday, Stern dismissed those concerns and said that he fully understands that “America’s Got Talent” is a family show.

“I really feel a responsibility to the people who love this show already,” Stern said. “In no way do I want to get in the way of it.”

Stern said his critics “are entitled to their opinion. They just sound awfully foolish when they haven’t seen the show.”

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