Tiger King star Joe Exotic has called upon his British fans to tweet at US President Donald Trump asking for his release from prison.

The 57-year-old is two years into a 22-year jail term for various charges, including animal cruelty and a plot to murder his long-term rival Carole Baskin.

Exotic is attempting to use the publicity surrounding the release of the Netflix series to convince Trump to issue him with a presidential pardon and last week issued the president with a 257-page document about his case.

Writing in a letter sent to the Sunday People via his husband Dillon Passage, Exotic said: "Thank you for the love and support. I think the producers knew this was a set up and they all used me to get rich. Sad. So please know I send my love and tell the UK I love you all.

"Dillon wants me to take him and visit you all so please ask everyone there to rally on Trump's Twitter and Facebook to listen to his own son Don Jr and pardon me for Dillons birthday...Be my hero. Love you, Joe Exotic."

Exotic has claimed that he has been beaten and sexually abused by prison staff while in jail.