David Walliams

David Walliams's 2011 children's book, his fourth, has sold more than 430,000 copies, which means there are at least that many imagined versions out there of Ben's adventures with his surprisingly acquisitive grandmother. The team behind last year's Walliams adaptation, Mr Stink, now turn their attention to Gangsta Granny, with Julia McKenzie as the titular lawbreaker.

Schoolboy Ben (Reece Buttery) is bored rigid by the soup 'n' Scrabble regime at Granny's house until she reveals that she was once an international jewel thief. Like many career criminals, she's haunted by the audacious heist she never pulled off, and together Ben and his grandma - aka the Black Cat - decide to complete it.

A child's-view of adult quirks is part of what makes David Walliams's stories special, and he appears here as Ben's dad, with Miranda Hart as Ben's mum. Obsessed with Strictly Come Dancing, they're the ultimate source of mortification for any 11-year-old.

David Walliams stars in this likeable adaptation of his best-selling kids' book about Ben (Reece Buttery), a neglected, plumbing-mad boy, and his seemingly boring gran (the brilliant Julia McKenzie) who's not what she seems.

Ben's selfish, ballroom-dancing-crazed parents, played as hideous comic creations by Walliams and a glammed-up Miranda Hart, drop Ben off at his gran's every weekend, where he's subjected to cabbage soup, painful silences and endless rounds of scrabble. At breaking point, he discovers valuables in her biscuit tin and forces her to confess her sideline as an international jewel thief. Their shared secret leads to an ambitious heist, but hot on the tail of gran's mobility scooter is nosy neighbour Mr Parker.

Although it takes a while to warm up, there are moments of real humour, especially in the hospital breakout and ballroom scenes. Expect to see more Robbie Williams on our screens too - he holds his own rather well as the faux-Italian Flavio. It's a slight story with a big heart, and it's surprisingly poignant when the Queen (Joanna Lumley - who else?) makes a plea for the young to respect the old.

Gangsta Granny: When Robbie Williams met Miss Marple

A Christmas adaptation of David Walliams's Gangsta Granny has attracted an all-star cast. James Rampton joins them on set.

David Walliams calls in a lifetime's worth of showbiz favours to create this talent-strewn version of his bestselling children's novel. Young Ben (Reece Buttery) is dispatched to stay with his grandmother, who runs a tight ship based on nights in, Scrabble and cabbage soup. He is, understandably, bored out of his tiny mind. Until somehow it transpires that gran was once an international jewel thief and she needs her grandson's help to tie up some unfinished business. Cue a crazy romp that takes in a meeting with the Queen (played by Joanna Lumley) and the unwanted interventions of a nosy neighbour (Rob Brydon). Walliams himself appears as Ben's Strictly-obsessed dad, opposite Miranda Hart as his mum. 
What japes.

Back problems force David Walliams to cancel work

A statement from Harper Collins said: "Actor, writer and comedian David Walliams is due to undergo emergency back surgery this week and has been advised by doctors to cancel all work commitments for the remainder of 2013."

David Walliams: If I was PM I'd give everyone sweets

The comedian and writer talks turning Mr Stink into a heart-warming Christmas film on BBC One in this exclusive video.

David Walliams profile

The childhood anguish that drives David Walliams' insatiable hunger for success: How the comedian tried to win his father's affection, but feels he never came close.