Sky One has signed up David Jason to star in a £6 million adaptation of Terry Pratchett novel Hogwatch, its biggest ever drama commission.

The two-part, four-hour film, ordered by Sky One drama commissioner Elaine Pyke, will air as part of the channel's Christmas 2006 schedule.

It will be filmed in high definition and is likely to be used as a key selling point for Sky's new HD service in the run-up to the festive period.

Jason, who commands audiences over 10 million on ITV, will play the part of Death's assistant Albert. After Hogfather - a Father Christmas-type figure - mysteriously goes missing, Albert finds himself filling his shoes and delivering gifts to every kid in the land.

"I am thrilled to be taking part in Hogfather," said Jason. "I am a huge fan of Terry Pratchett's books and to play the part of Albert is going to be great fun."

Pyke added: "Having been in development for nearly a year, I am thrilled to announce this two part commission with RHI Entertainment for the first live-action adaptation of a Discworld book. Terry Pratchett is one of the most successful authors or our time and his fantasy fiction will strike a chord with Sky One viewers."

Filming will begin in Romania in April.

I didn't know TP had written a book called Hogwatch :whistling: :lol: :lol:

Me neither. :rolleyes: :lol:

D'oh! :stoopid:

<_< Uggghhh, not happy with David Jason, I imagined Albert to be more like John Le Mesurier

Bit difficult to cast JlM though ;)

I don't care who they cast, as long as they act their socks off and do the story justice :thumbsup:

I wonder who they will get ot play Death. (Callista Flockhart springs to mind for some reason :lol: )

It will be weird though. I always re-read Hogfather over the Christmas period anyway, but this year I'll be able to watch it too. :thumbsup:

I can't wait to see how the manage to w**k the scene where the Pigs start peeing on everything in the shop. (I know, I'm easily amused :ph43r: :ph43r: :lol: )

Obviously a reaction to Sky One having only 2 viewers when Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion was on BBC1.

I have to say I wasn't overly impressed with Sky One's output this christmas, I think this is them trying to be like the terrestrial channels and offer something new and great and christmas. Like the BBC does a drama every christmas, The Lost World, Sherlock Holmes etc.

And I'm surprised at the casting of David Jason......must have paid him a lumply sum....

:lol: I knew someone would say that, I meant that kind of type :lol:

They could have got John Le Mesurier for much less.....I mean how much is a shovel these days :ponder: :ph43r:

Binky :wub: