Michael Palin is to appear on screen as the character 'God' in the Spamalot stage show next week.

The Monty Python star will be appearing for one week only as part of a charity initiative run by the show. The filmed role is usually occupied by Eric Idle however 'The Summer of Spamalot Charity Gods' idea sees guest actors taking over the role to help "raise-a-lot of shillings" for charity.

Sir Howard Panter, producer of Monty Python's Spamalot for Ambassador Theatre Group, says: "It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to bring friends of the show in to the role of God in this way, so that we can help such deserving causes while making audiences laugh at the same time."

The role of God features in Spamalot when King Arthur and the Knights of The Round Table are given their quest to find The Holy Grail. The heavenly robes have previously been worn by Hugh Bonneville, Bradley Walsh, Barbara Windsor and Simon Callow, with Christopher Biggins in the role this week.

The producers say: "Michael Palin took time out of his busy schedule (of travelling through a large and extensive forest for some TV show or other) to film the part of God, which will be shown during each performance of Spamalot from Monday 26th August until Saturday 31st August. His nominated charity is Action for Stammering Children."

Palin himself says: "I feel very fondly of the show because it brings back a lot of memories of cold Scottish mountainsides back in 1973. The chance to play God cannot be turned down." Although the part is a pre-filmed role, the comedy star will be at the theatre on Monday 26th August to see his performance from the audience, and then join the cast for drinks after the show.

Spamalot, which has been 'lovingly ripped off' from the classic film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, has been running in various theatres in the USA and UK since 2004. Created by Eric Idle, the show tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table through a series of comic musical numbers.

The show is currently at The Playhouse Theatre in London's West End, and it has just been announced the show's run there has now been extended until the 8th February 2014. At present Les Dennis is playing King Arthur, while musical theatre star Bonnie Langford plays The Lady of The Lake. Warwick Davis will be joining the cast to play Patsy from 23rd September through to 19th October 2013.

To find out more about the show visit www.spamalotwestend.co.uk

Below is a video showing Palin filming his lines and talking about the show: