BBC One announces next David Walliams adaptation

Friday 22nd September 2017, 1:27pm

David Walliams will return to BBC One this Christmas
His original childrens' novel Grandpa's Great Escape is being adapted for television
Walliams will co-star alongside Tom Courtenay, Kit Connor, and Jennifer Saunders

BBC One has announced a new adaptation of a David Walliams book.

Grandpa's Great Escape will be broadcast at Christmas, following previous adaptations Mr Stink, Billionaire Boy, Gangsta Granny and The Boy In The Dress in previous years.

This Christmas season will also see Walliams on Sky 1 with another TV version of one of his childrens' novels, Ratburger.

Walliams and Miranda Hart's production company, King Bert, are making the new programme, which is expected to run to around an hour in length and likely to be broadcast on Christmas Day.

The BBC explain: "Grandpa's Great Escape tells the tale of Grandpa, a World War II flying ace, who now sadly suffers from Alzheimer's disease and when his family can no longer look after him he is moved to an old people's home called Twilight Towers, run by Miss Dandy.

"It soon becomes clear Miss Dandy is running Twilight Towers for her own ulterior motives and it is up to Grandpa and his grandson Jack to make a daring escape. Failure could have the most dire consequences but success will give Grandpa a final chance to relive his past and once again take to the sky in his beloved Spitfire."

The lead roles of Grandpa and Jack will be played by Tom Courtenay and Kit Connor, respectively. Jennifer Saunders will co-star as Miss Dandy, with Jack's parents, Patricia and Barry, played by Samantha Spiro and Walliams.

David Walliams says: "I am thrilled to be working with acting and comedy royalty on this adaptation of my book. I have loved Tom Courtenay forever and I still can't believe that I am working with him. He is the perfect Grandpa. And what a treat to be working with comedy genius Jennifer Saunders again."

Jo Sargent, Executive Producer says: "King Bert is delighted to be bringing the wonderful world of David Walliams to BBC One this Christmas with his endearing tale of Grandpa and his adventures with his grandson Jack. David has written another outstanding book and once again, we were thrilled to have had a stellar cast to take the characters from the page to the screen."

Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning says: "This heart-warming story about the close relationship between a boy and his grandfather continues the rich tradition of BBC One family pieces at Christmas by connecting young and older viewers together."

10th October update - First picture

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David Walliams - Grandpa's Great Escape

Jack's Grandpa...
- wears his slippers to the supermarket
- serves up tinned tongue for dinner
- and often doesn't remember Jack's name

But he can still take to the skies in a speeding Spitfire and save the day...

An exquisite portrait of the bond between a small boy and his beloved Grandpa - this book takes readers on an incredible journey with Spitfires over London and Great Escapes through the city in a high octane adventure full of comedy and heart.

First released: Thursday 24th September 2015

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