Comedian Rowan Atkinson has defended Boris Johnson's joke about burqa-wearers resembling letterboxes.

Atkinson, who is about to star in the film Johnny English Strikes Again (pictured), has written the following letter to The Times about the controversial remark which has been published roday.

"Sir, As a lifelong beneficiary of the freedom to make jokes about religion, I do think that Boris Johnson’s joke about wearers of the burka resembling letterboxes is a pretty good one."

He called it an "almost perfect visual simile" and added that is was a joke that, whether Mr Johnson apologises for it or not, "will stay in the public consciousness for some time to come."

Arkinson has previously been a vocal defender of the right to make jokes about religion: "All jokes about religion cause offence, so it’s pointless apologising for them. You should really only apologise for a bad joke. On that basis, no apology is required."