Mark Watson praises 'rock star Greta Thunberg

Comedian Mark Watson has praised "rock star" Greta Thunberg for inspiring his children to save the environment.

The \'Taskmaster\' star says the 17-year-old Swedish environmental activist has had a big impact on his two kids, son Kit and daughter Rose, and her campaigning has also made him re-assess his own actions.

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, he said: "We\'ve never had a spokesperson for kids quite like that before. We\'ve messed about with the environment for years and it\'s always been in the back of our minds but I think Greta\'s definitely brought everything to the fore - she\'s kind of a rock star for that generation. My kids are only nine and five so I think they\'re at a good age now to be learning about saving the planet. I\'ve been trying to make steps in my own household, having my children with me over Christmas made me realise just how much energy they use and how rubbish they are at switching things off!" Watson - who raises his kids with his ex-wife Emily Watson Howes - is currently working with Smart Energy GB to show Brits that installing a smart metre can reduce energy waste and help tackle climate change. And the stand-up comic has become increasingly concerned with his own carbon footprint recently.

He said: "Last year I did a really long tour with a lot of shows - I think it was about 100 - which is one of the reasons I really started to think about my own impact on the planet. I\'m touring a lot less this year and I\'ve got a novel coming out. I\'m really trying to live a bit better by not hoovering up all the resources. Massive Attack are doing their European tour on trains for example and Coldplay aren\'t touring this year."