David Walliams making Ratburger for Sky
- David Walliams is making a TV version of his childrens' book Ratburger for Sky 1
- The one-off comedy drama will also feature stars including Sheridan Smith, Mark Benton and Nigel Planer
- Walliams, who is due to launch The Nightly Show on Monday, also confirmed Walliams & Friend Series 2
David Walliams is adapting another of his popular childrens' books for television.
Ratburger, his fifth book, was first published in 2012. A new adaptation will follow in the footsteps of Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny, The Boy In The Dress and Billionaire Boy in becoming a TV comedy drama.
However, unlike the previous productions, Ratburger is set to be shown by Sky 1 rather than BBC One.
Ratburger follows a young girl called Zoe who has a stepmother that despises her, a dad who's never around and has a miserable time at the hands of Tina Trotts, the school bully. Her only chum is Harry, until she discovers a baby rat in her bedroom. She names him Armitage and they quickly become firm friends.
Zoe then discovers he's no ordinary rat - he's a rat that can dance. She sets out to show off her rodent pal's skill at the school talent show but her stepmother and burger man Burt have other ideas, which include throwing Armitage into the mincer and putting rat burgers on the menu.
Walliams will play the shifty Burt, with Mark Benton playing Zoe's dad and Sheridan Smith as her evil step-mum. Zoe herself will be played by Talia Barnett. Nigel Planer, Ben Bailey Smith, Sarah Hadland, Sophie Thompson and Sarah Hadland also have roles in the show. See our Guide for full credits.
Additionally, Harish Patel returns to play newsagent Raj, a character featured in all of Walliams's adaptations to date.
David Walliams says: "I am thrilled my book is coming to Sky and especially thrilled that I am playing the villain Burt. Plus I will be working with one of my favourite comedy actors Nigel Planer and someone who I adore working with, the super talented Sheridan Smith."
Sky's Jon Mountague comments: "Hilarious, gruesome and warm-hearted in equal measure, David's book Ratburger is a terrific tale, with a fantastic cast. We jumped at the chance to bring the adventure, villainy and vermin to screens."
The TV script has been adapted by Walliams alongside long-term collaborator Kevin Cecil. The production is being directed by Matt Lipsey (Little Britain) and produced by Joanna Hanley (Billionaire Boy).
This will be the third time Walliams has worked with Sherdian Smith in recent years. She previously starred as the mother in Mr Stink, and more recently guest starred in an episode of his BBC One sketch show Walliams & Friend
Speaking about Ratburger, Executive Producer Jo Sargent, from Walliams's production company King Bert, which is making the programme, adds: "We are delighted to be making Ratburger for Sky and are very much looking forward to bringing one of David's most popular and gruesome books to life."
Filming has just started on Ratburger, and Walliams took the following picture yesterday:
Series 2 of Walliams & Friend
In an interview with What's On TV, Walliams confirmed that the BBC has ordered a second series of his sketch show format, Walliams & Friend.
He said: "I'm also doing another series of BBC One's Walliams & Friend. So I've got my work cut out for a while - I'm not going to starve just yet!"
Further details on the second series of Walliams & Friend, including who the guest stars will be, is expected at a later date.
David Walliams was speaking to What's On TV to promote the fact he is hosting the first week of ITV's new topical comedy programme The Nightly Show. The series will launch on Monday. Below is the trailer: