Jennifer Saunders & ‘The Inbetweeners’ James Buckley for festive comedy

Filming has commenced on David Walliams TV adaptation of his first Children’s book, The Boy In The Dress – due to air this Christmas.

The Boy In The Dress is a co-venture between King Bert Productions and BBC In-house Comedy. It has been adapted by Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley alongside David Walliams himself and tells the story of a 12-year-old boy, Dennis. He is an ordinary boy, who lives in an ordinary town – but he feels different. A chance view of a fashion magazine introduces him to a whole new world of colour and creativity, but can a boy wear a dress, and what will the Headmaster, his Dad, and his friends in the football team think if they find out?

Joining Walliams (Big School) is a stellar ensemble cast including, Billy Kennedy‘s debut in the role of Dennis, Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous), Tim McInnerny (Blackadder), Meera Syal (The Kumars), Steve Spiers (Big School), James Buckley (The Inbetweeners), Felicity Montagu (I’m Alan Partridge) and an a cameo appearance from supermodel Kate Moss.

David Walliams said: “We have put together a dream cast for this the first of my children’s books and for many still my best. It is a funny and poignant story about what it is to be different. I hope it will make everyone who sees it, young and old, stop and think.”

Mark Freeland, Controller, Fiction & Entertainment, BBC Production at the BBC, added: “It’s a real privilege to bring to screen another one of David Walliams’ magical books. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas on BBC One without a man in a tatty coat, a granny on a souped-up mobility scooter and now a boy in a dress.”

Mark Freeland is the executive producer for the BBC, with Matt Lipsey directing (Gangsta Granny, Little Britain).

Walliams previous Christmas TV offerings have included Gangsta Granny and the BAFTA-nominated Mr Stink.

The Boy In The Dress is being filmed in London and will air on BBC One this Christmas.