Dennis Skinner has received cheers from some Opposition MPs after shouting 'Hands off the BBC' at the state opening of Parliament.

The veteran left-winger, nicknamed the Beast Of Bolsover for his monstering of Tory ministers, has become an unlikely fixture of the pomp-filled event.

Skinner usually issues a quip when Black Rod enters the Commons. The parliamentary official proclaims the Sovereign's command that MPs come to the House of Lords to hear her announce the programme for government.

The gentleman usher is a symbol of the Crown's authority and the doors to the Commons chamber are slammed shut in his face to assert parliamentary independence.

Skinner's remark follows the publication of a government white paper on the future of the BBC, which sets out a long-term plan for the corporation, including maintaining the licence fee.

In 2014, the Bolsover MP shouted "Coalition's last stand" as MPs were summoned to hear the Queen's Speech in the House of Lords.

He won widespread laughs in 2013 when he shouted "Royal Mail for sale. Queen's head privatised" in reference to the planned Royal Mail privatisation.

In 2012 he angered Tory MPs by drawing attention to the country's economic difficulties, saying: "Jubilee year, double dip recession, what a start."

And in 2006, as the film The Queen was released, Skinner joked: "Have you got Helen Mirren on standby?"

Last year, despite apparently winning his battle with the SNP over his high-profile seat in the Commons, Skinner stayed quiet.