David Walliams to star as Frankie Howerd in new BBC Four drama

David Walliams is to play one of his own comedy favourites in a compelling new drama for BBC Four.

The Little Britain and Capturing Mary star is taking on the role of Frankie Howerd, one of Britain’s best loved television entertainers, in Frankie Howerd: Rather you than Me.

The one-off drama tells the moving, humorous and poignant story of Howerd’s fight with his inner demons, as seen through the eyes of his long-term partner Dennis Heymer.

David Walliams says: “I have been a life-long fan of Frankie and his work: I even managed to get an autograph after one of his shows!

“Playing Howerd is, in many ways, a dream role for me. In fact, Matt Lucas and I first bonded as struggling comedians over a shared love of Frankie Howerd impressions.”

Jane Tranter, Controller, BBC Fiction, adds: “David is one of the country’s most talented actors and performers, so we are delighted to have him on board for this fantastic season of dramas for BBC Four.”

Frankie Howerd is to this day an enduring and celebrated icon of British comedy, and his “thrice nays” and “titter ye not” have been immortalised in the canon of comedy catch-phrases.

Behind the scenes, however, was a man riddled with professional doubts, conflicted by his homosexuality and wracked with depression.

This is the first time that the true story of Howerd’s inner life has been told, as he kept his sexuality and relationship with Dennis secret until his death in 1992.

The writer Peter Harness has constructed this story from intimate interviews with Dennis himself.

Peter’s credits include BBC Four’s A View from the Hill and, currently in production for BBC Films/Heyday Films, Is Anybody There?

Frankie Howerd: Rather you than Me is a single 60-minute drama being made by BBC Drama Production, directed by John Alexander (Shadow in the North; Sense & Sensibility), produced by Ben Evans and executive produced by John Yorke. It was commissioned by Jane Tranter.

The drama forms part of a four-part season for BBC Four which will also explores the extraordinary lives of Hughie Green, Tony Hancock and the two actors who played Steptoe & Son: Harry H Corbett and Wilfrid Brambell.

The season, to be screened in Spring 2008, follows in the footsteps of acclaimed BBC Four dramas Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!; Fear of Fanny; and the recent, rumbustious Fanny Hill.