TOM HARDY - BRYDON AND SPALL TO STAR IN OLIVER TWIST

Comic actor Rob Brydon and TV veteran Timothy Spall will star in the new BBC adaptation of Oliver Twist.

The new production will adapt the Charles Dickens classic in a similar fashion to the BBC's take on Bleak House, shown by the broadcaster last year.

Sarah Phelps, who writes for the soap EastEnders, will be adapting the story for TV while Oliver will be played by William Millar.

The story will follow the Dickens tale of Oliver closely, where the young boy is orphaned at an early age and must serve in a workhouse to survive.

After being expelled he meets The Artful Dodger, played by Adam Arnold, before meeting Fagan, played by Spall, and entering an underworld of criminal activity.

Also featuring will be the brutal Tom Sikes, played by Tom Hardy, and the mysterious Mr Monks, depicted by Julian Rhind-Tutt.

Kate Harwood, head of drama series and serial at the BBC, said: "BBC drama production is thrilled to be bringing to the screen Sarah Phelps's bold adaptation of Oliver Twist.

"Directed by Coky Giedroyc with a great cast line-up, this production will have a modern edge; a darkly thrilling, joyous treat for the viewers later this year."

Brydon will feature as Mr Fang, the magistrate, while a host of other TV actors will feature in the production.