...as Jennifer Saunders stars in a stage revivial

Dave Johns has joined the cast of the new film version of Blithe Sprit, alongside Dame Judi Dench.

The stand-up and I, Daniel Blake star  will play the role of the gardener in this modernised version of the classic Noel Coward comedy.

He tweeted: 'Very happy to be joining the amazing cast of the new film adaptation of Blithe Spirit. Judy [sic] Dench, Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher and now Tricky Dave. What a time to be alive kids ‘

The remake is directed by Edward Hall, who has previously called the shots on Downton Abbey.

The story revolves around a crime novelist who tries to cure his writer’s block by inviting the eccentric medium Madame Arcati to his home to perform a seance – where she inadvertently conjures up the ghost of his first wife.

The movie follows a revival of the play which opens at the Theatre Royal Bath next Friday, with Jennifer Saunders as Madame Arcati.

Blithe Spirit originally ran on the West End for a then-record 1,997 performances, starting in 1941. David Lean then made it into a film in 1945, starring Margaret Rutherford, who had also been in the stage version, and Rex Harrison.

Johns has also has just finished shooting the romcom 23 Walks in London, in which he stars opposite Alison Steadman. The pair play two people in their 60s, who get to know one another over the course of 23 dog walks. The film also features Vivienne Soan in the role of Chaplin.

Published: 7 Jun 2019