Eric Morecambe novel The Reluctant Vampire to become BBC series
- Eric Morecambe's 1982 novel The Reluctant Vampire is being adapted into a BBC television series
- The story, originally written for seven and eight year-olds, follows a vampire prince who prefers chips to blood
- The series is being made by the producers of Am I Being Unreasonable? and the scripts are being overseen by Alan Partridge writers Neil and Rob Gibbons
The BBC has commissioned The Reluctant Vampire, a series based on Eric Morecambe's children's novel of the same name.
Broadcast reports that Alan Partridge writers Neil Gibbons and Rob Gibbons are now working on scripts for the project.
The series is being produced by Boffola Pictures, the company behind BBC One comedy drama Am I Being Unreasonable?, and The Power Of Parker, a sitcom which launches on BBC One later this month.
Written by the Morecambe & Wise star in 1982, The Reluctant Vampire focuses on a vampire prince who doesn't like blood but prefers "chips and a glass of red wine".
The book's blurb describes the novel as "a tale about an extremely unconventional vampire", adding "This tale of laughter and ghoulish horror for seven and eight year-olds is sure to delight."
The publication was a hit at the time, resulting in the comedian writing a sequel in 1983 titled The Vampire's Revenge.
The BBC has yet to officially confirm The Reluctant Vampire, but further details are expected to be revealed in due course.