John Sessions guest stars as a vain Shakespearean scholar in this fourth and final episode of the BBC's latest adaptation of Richmal Crompton's Just William stories. He arrives at William's school armed with a copy of Hamlet and a plan for an annual Shakespeare competition which, needless to say, goes awry thanks to the intervention of a certain young boy. There are a few amusing set-pieces (such as when William, played by Outnumbered's Daniel Roche, takes to the stage with a patchily memorised but nevertheless rousing version of the "To be or not to be" speech) but alas the episode lacks the effortless charm of Crompton's original story.

A daunting leap for Just William

Britain's favourite 11-year-old imp is set to become a TV star. But will Richmal Crompton's wit survive the transition?

Just William, BBC One, preview

Sam Richards previews Simon Nye's BBC One adaptation of Richmal Crompton's popular Just William short stories.

This is the fourth time Richmal Compton's larger-than-life schoolboy has been cut down to size for the small screen (previous William Browns famously include a scabby-kneed Dennis Waterman - he could be so bad for you), and some might argue these stories actually work best on the radio, c/o the peerless readings of Martin Jarvis - who, in a best-of-both-worlds scenario, also intermittently narrates this new 1950s-set adaptation from Simon Nye, which does lack a certain fizz. Outnumbered's Daniel Roche plays the scowling scamp, tonight encountering Violet Elizabeth Bott.

Video: Just William's adventures come to television

An all-star cast is due to bring the exploits of mischievous schoolboy Just William to life this Christmas.

The BBC adaptation has been filmed nearly a century after the publication of the William books by author Richmal Crompton.

The BBC's Emma Jones went behind-the-scenes.

Outnumbered actor Daniel Roche to star in Just William

Outnumbered child star Daniel Roche - who plays naughty Ben Brockman in the BBC comedy - is to play the lead role in a new adaptation of Just William.

Outnumbered's Daniel Roche is just the boy