Skelmorlie's famous clown gave its first on screen interview on Monday as the world's media descended on the village - and got the ultimate seal of approval from two of Britain's best-known daytime TV presenters.

ITV's This Morning interviewed the most talked about clown in the world on the prime time show after the Skelmorlie scarefest appeared in The New York Post, radio stations in New Zealand and all round the world. 

The clown said: "From India to the US of A, everyone wants to know the clown's identity, but what is the game without someone to play?"

Asked about how he felt about the attention, the clown said: "Were you not listening? I told you before, this is about fun, nothing more.

"I come up with games with a frightening theme, usually something to do with Hallowe'en, and then the village must unite to solve the clues before times run out which would mean that they lose.

"When the games first game began, a loss meant I stay, so they have to complete them for me to go away.

"But as I went on they all started to say these games brought excitement and mystery - so now when they lose, it is over and done, no more games and no more fun."

Greenock Telegraph:

Asked whether he was understood, he responded: "All this clown wants to do is play - chaos or fun, come what may. People join the games if they choose, it is up to them if they win or lose.

"Here is a message for everyone: take a look behind you, the game has already begun."

Alison praised the local scenery said: "It has put the village on the map. I didn't like the idea at first but I now think it is a great idea."

And Dermot added: "I like it - a little general disruption and obviously the village isn't too big and helping put Skelmorlie on the map.

"The village isn't too big so they must know who it is."

The scary clown released a chilling new video on Friday the 13th - which he describes as 'his favourite day' - and sparked a media scrum with TV cameras and news reporters descending on the village.

The clown - dressed in a costume similar to Pennywise, the terrifying clown from Stephen King's It - became an overnight sensation and even featured on the front page of the Daily Star on Saturday.

The terrifying figure has appeared in Skelmorlie over recent years at Hallowe'en and has returned again this year to frighten locals and play some spooky games. 

The clown has been leaving red balloons and clues around the village and people are asked to find them and solve the riddles, which have spelled out a word. 

Videos of the clown have been posted to local Facebook pages under the name Cole Deimos, but the figure's true identity remains a mystery. 

There shows little sign of interest in the clown slowing down as Hallowe'en gets closer, with Jeremy Vine's Channel 5 show on Monday even hosting a phone-in asking whether the clown was scary or just a bit of fun.