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Carole Baskin pranked into namechecking Rolf Harris and Jimmy Saville in video message

Josh Pieters & Archie Manners/YouTube
Josh Pieters & Archie Manners/YouTube

Carole Baskin has been tricked into giving video shout-outs to Rolf Harris and Jimmy Saville, as part of a prank by an Australian comedian.

The Tiger King star is one of the many celebrities who offers personalised video messages for fans via the increasingly popular app, Cameo.

However, it seems Baskin recorded one of her latest efforts without double-checking or realising who the clip was for.

In the video, shared by the comedian who claims to have engineered it, she introduces herself with her trademark line “Hey all you cats and kittens,” before continuing: “Hi Rolf Harris – all your kids wanted to get together and tell you that you have really touched them and that they love all that you have done for them.

“I hear there’s a lot of great stories about you and your best friend, Jimmy Saville – can’t wait to hear those. Happy birthday Rolf.”

Baskin has since responded to the clip in a statement issued to the Mirror.

"I am amazed at the lengths (and expense) people will go to in order to trash my reputation," she said. "Of course, I have never heard of Rolf Harris, and would not have done the Cameo had I known."

Comedian Tom Armstrong posted the video on TikTok and it soon began trending on Twitter too.

While some found the prank hilarious, others did not see the funny side:

Another user also pointed out that Baskin makes a handsome fee for each video recorded, with her current Cameo price set at £167.15 for a short personalised clip.

Baskin unexpectedly became a household name back in March, when Netflix released its jaw-dropping Tiger King series.

The Big Cat Rescue owner was frequently targeted by Joe Exotic - the now-jailed former zookeeper who saw her as a rival.

After the show was released, she admitted her disappointment in the way she had been portrayed, voicing her dislike of the fact the series gave prominent airtime to unfounded claims she was responsible for her first husband’s death.

Baskin was previously the victim of a prank by British comedian Archie Manners, who fooled her into thinking she was being interviewed live on US television by Jimmy Fallon.