David Walliams’ Grandpa’s Great Escape comes to BBC One

David Walliams is set to bring his best-selling children’s book, Grandpa’s Great Escape, to BBC One this Christmas.

Based on an original book by David Walliams, 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.

Grandpa will be played by Tom Courtenay (45 Years, Doctor Zhivago, The Dresser), his grandson Jack will be played by Kit Connor (Get Santa, Mr Holmes) and Miss Dandy will be played by Jennifer Saunders (French And Saunders, Absolutely Fabulous). Other characters to appear include Jack’s mum Patricia who will be played by Samantha Spiro (Babs, Game Of Thrones) and Jack’s dad Barry who will be played by David Walliams (Little Britain, Britain’s Got Talent).

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 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”.

Grandpa’s Great Escape is a King Bert Production for BBC One.

Having sold 20 million children’s books, this is the fifth by David Walliams that has been adapted for a Christmas special on BBC One following Mr Stink (2012), Gangsta Granny (2013), The Boy In The Dress (2014) and Billionaire Boy (2015).

Grandpa’s Great Escape was commissioned for the BBC by Alex Moody, the Executive Producer is Jo Sargent (French And Saunders, Miranda) the Producer is Charlie Leech (The Wrong Mans, Loaded) and the Director is Elliot Hegarty (Lovesick, Bad Education).

September 22, 2017 8:52am ET by BBC One  

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