'Real Bruno' speaks out on Cohen

The man believed to have inspired Sacha Baron Cohen's alter ego Bruno has spoken out about the comedian's alleged take on him.

Alfons Haider, 51, said that the Borat star may have seen his Austrian television series while he studied in the country, People reports.

He said: "Nine years ago, Sacha Baron Cohen studied in Austria for a year. Since I've done over 800 television shows in the past 15 years, I can't rule out the possibility that he may have seen me on one of my shows."

The cabaret star, reality show host and singer added that he does not see a strong resemblance between himself and Cohen's gay journalist role, but does find it "pretty funny".

He added: "I only have four things in common with Bruno - I'm a man, an Austrian, I'm on television, and I'm gay - that's it. But if the world wants me to be the inspiration for Bruno, well then, I'll be Bruno. It's all pretty funny."

It was reported recently that comedian Pauly Shore was considering filing a lawsuit against Cohen for supposed similarities between his film Adoption and Bruno.