A Sydney school teacher could be the ‘inspiration’ for Chris Lilley’s “Mr. G” character, after showing photographic evidence that show Lilley in one of his 1990 stage productions.

Ken Granneman produced the photo as evidence after Lilley said he had never met him. He said he is offended Lilley has denied his influence.

Granneman, who wears a beret, has a small dog and is the Catholic girls school’s executive artistic director, says he taught Lilley at Barker College in the early 90s.

Lilley denied knowing Mr Granneman last week. The actor told The Daily Telegraph: “There seems to be at least one Mr G in every school. I’ve never met this particular teacher, but I take it as a compliment that he recognises himself.”

“I took umbrage to his comments in the media,” Mr Granneman said. “I’ve always been Mr G throughout my career. I certainly wasn’t laying claim to being the Mr G, but there are elements of me in there. My students have always called me Mr G and there are similarities.

“Granneman says Lilley was in a play he directed at Barker College when he was there for a term.

“I didn’t even consider going public about this, it just sort of happened inadvertently.”

Lilley’s Mr G character was first seen on television during the sketch show The Big Bite in 2003.

Last year, writer Michael Reed also said Lilley based his character on a role in the short-lived sitcom Sit Down, Shut Up.

Seems everyone wants to lay claim to being part of a hit. Most comedians create hybrid characters that draw upon different aspects of various personalities, and Lilley would hardly be the first to be guilty of this ‘crime’…

Source: news.com.au