Davis to star as chef Cradock

 Julia Davis is to play Fanny Cradock in a new BBC Four drama about Britain’s first celebrity chef.

And starring opposite her as Cradock’s much-maligned husband Johnnie is the League of Gentlemen’s Mark Gatiss, who also appeared in Davis’s Nighty Night

Fear of Fanny has been adapted by Brian Fillis from his stage play of the same name which was based on interviews with Cradock’s colleagues, family and critics.

The drama will be produced by Ben Evans, who was responsible for BBC Four’s high rating Kenneth Williams programme Fantabulosa!

BBC Four is also making another drama about early domestic goddess, Mrs Beeton, which will star Anna Madely

Channel controller Janice Hadlow said: ‘Following the success of single dramas exploring key figures from our recent past, including Kenneth Williams and Alan Clark, BBC Four now shines the spotlight on the colourful and fascinating lives of two very different women who changed the face of British cooking forever.’

Published: 6 May 2006