Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt is one of the world's most popular actors - and rightly so. He was everyone's favourite loveable buffoon in TV's Parks and Recreation, he's the lead in one the very best (and funniest) Marvel series, and (maybe best of all) he's no stranger to taking this piss out of himself. Basically, he's cool AF and we all want him as our best friend.
But when he was in the UK on his promo tour for the first Guardians movie, just as his superstar status had been confirmed, he totally took us by surprise with an impression that blew our minds.
Credit: BBC
After spending months in the UK filming for the Marvel franchise back in 2015, the actor tried his hand at a very specific British (well, ok, English) accent. But it's not Hugh Grant or Prince William he's channelling - it's the cast of The Only Way is Essex.
That's right, Chris Pratt is a TOWIE fan. Who knew?! And even better, he's actually really good. He absolutely nails the accent! Who would have thought that Andy Dwyer from Parks and Rec could sound like he was from Essex?
Credit: BBC
Describing the cast of TOWIE as 'the worst', Chris started to pick up the accent and compared himself to a parrot. How much of the show was he watching? He's clearly more than a casual viewer. I suppose it's a good way to wind down after a long day of filming... Well, ok, I'm guessing there.
Fellow guests (and actual Brits) Jude Law and John Bishop were seriously impressed and couldn't stop laughing. Chris Pratt sounds more Essex than people from Essex! Perhaps.
The TOWIE cast. Credit: Channel 4
Let's be honest: it's pretty rare that American actors manage to nail a decent British accent. Remember Dick Van Dyck in Mary Poppins? Christian Slater in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves? Kevin Costner didn't even bother trying in that last one. Basically, our US cousins just aren't as good at British accents as us, and realistically we've got an unfair advantage.
(For parity's sake, it's worth pointing out that Ewan McGregor, Simon Pegg and Michael Caine have all struggled with American accents. Basically, this isn't a one-way street).
As Graham Norton said, it's a skill that will never be useful... unless Chris actually appears on TOWIE, preferably as Star Lord. I think that's something we'd all watch. Let's make this happen, people.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: TOWIE, Guardians of the Galaxy, Chris Pratt