David Walliams Brings Grandpa's Great Escape to BBC One This Christmas

This Christmas, David Walliams will be bringing his best-selling children’s book, Grandpa’s Great Escape to the small screen as part of BBC One's festive programming.

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, his grandson Jack will be played by Kit Connor and Miss Dandy will be played by Jennifer Saunders. Other characters to appear include Jack’s mum Patricia who will be played by Samantha Spiro and of course David Walliams was always going to make a cameo and he'll be playing Jack’s dad Barry.

Speaking about the latest TV adaptation of his children's books, 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."

Shane Allen, Controller Comedy Commissioning at the BBC 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 isn't the only David Walliams adaptation to air this Christmas. Ratburger, the story about a young girl who discovers a baby rat that can dance in her bedroom will also air this festive season but on Sky 1.

Grandpa's Great Escape will air this Christmas on BBC One