Animal lover Alexander Armstrong’s thrilled about new project Teach My Pet To Do That

IS Alexander Armstrong the hardest-working man on TV?

Not only do we see him every weeknight on Pointless — with the celebrity version on the weekends — but this year alone, he’s also presented Italy’s Invisible Cities, Don’t Ask Me, Ask Britain and The Real Full Monty.

Younger viewers — OK, and their parents — have been getting extra Armstrong courtesy of his voice work on Hey Duggee and Danger Mouse, and he’s also found time to squeeze in a singing career.

So, no-one would have begrudged Armstrong a nice, long summer holiday, but instead he’s back on our screens with his new series, Teach My Pet To Do That.

Armstrong is something of an animal lover, and a lot of us have a weakness for watching funny animal videos online.

The aim of Teach My Pet is to show that some of these internet stars aren’t as unique as they seem — many of our household animals have potential and with the right training, they can pull off some surprising feats.

Some might think “Xander”, as his family and friends call him, would turn his nose up at the show, but the father of four young boys says: “It has been said that I am posh, but I take a dim view of people who scoff about the fact I do shows like this and Pointless.

“It’s like when people tell you very grandly that they don’t watch television and I just think: ‘You’re mad. Why would you boast about that?’

“They’re missing out on the most glorious stodge.

“The ratings for Pointless are absurd. People like to get together at teatime and watch it — it’s cross-generational, young people watch it with their grans, students play drinking games to it, and have a shot every time I say ‘Indeed’ or ‘Wow’ — think how drunk they must get!

“Also, you’re allowed not to take it too seriously.

“I think if I’ve learned one thing from doing this show, it is that, generally, the human race is wonderful.”

Despite his Cambridge degree — he read English and sang baritone as a choral scholar — and the fact he’s descended from William The Conqueror while his wife comes from Northern Irish landed gentry, Armstrong admits he has trashy tastes.

“Oh, I’m an avid X Factor devotee,” he reveals.

“And I love trashy gossip mags.

“I always make sure I get to the dentist early so I can devour as much of them as I can.

“And I have a nerdy interest in music of the 80s. Adam And The Ants, Depeche Mode, Madness — I love ’em!”

Teach My Pet To Do That, ITV, Fridays, 8pm.