Filming Starts On The Further Adventures Of Professor Branestawm (W/T)

Filming is to begin this week on the BBC One show, The Further Adventures of Professor Branestawm (w/t). Comedian Harry Hill will reprise his role as the title lead in the hour-long special, which is due to air this Christmas.

Set in the English village of Great Pagwell, the show sees Branestawm (Hill) face money troubles when his bills are literally out of control. In order to try and pay off his debts, Connie (Madeline Holliday) suggests he enter the town's best inventing competition to win a cash prize of £1,854 and a thruppeny bit, which would be enough money to pay off his tax bill. However, will be able to 'out invent' the self-professed greatest inventor in the world, Professor Algebrain?

Returning to the special are Vicki Pepperdine (Getting On) as Mrs Flittersnoop, Madeline Holliday as Connie (CBBC's Hank Zipzer), Simon Day (The Life Of Rock With Brian Pern) as Colonel Dedshott, Charlie Higson (The Fast Show) as the Mayor, David Mitchell (Peep Show) as Councillor Harold Haggerstone, Sophie Thompson (Jericho) as Connie's mum Aggie, and Adrian Scarborough (Gavin and Stacey).

Meanwhile, Steve Pemberton (Inside No 9) as Professor Algebrain, Dame Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones) as Lady Pagwell, and Bob Mortimer (House of Fools) as Professor Awfulshirt join the cast.

Speaking about his return, Harry Hill said: "I'm thrilled to be back playing the original nutty professor, and this time he's even nuttier than last time."

Charlie Higson, writer of the show, added: "It's very exciting to be making another Branestawn film. It's great to get the cast back together and have fun in this crazy world."

The Further Adventures of Professor Branestawm (w/t) was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Controller, BBC One; Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning; and Myfanwy Moore, Controller of BBC Comedy Production.

It is being produced by BBC In-house comedy, with Ben Farrell (Reggie Perrin) as Executive Producer, and Rosemary McGowan (Jonathan Creek) as Producer. The Director is Sandy Johnson (Benidorm).

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP)