Lenny Rush helps get Eric Morecambe vampire book on TV
Actor Lenny Rush has been cast as the lead in a new BBC television adaptation of Eric Morecambe's children's book, The Reluctant Vampire. The project, which had been in development for 35 years, finally moved forward after Rush was attached to the project.
Why it matters
Highlights the impact of casting choices in greenlighting long-stalled creative projects and the ongoing legacy of British comedy icons.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Danny Fullbrook Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire BBC/Boffola Pictures Lenny Rush first became involved in the new show back in 2022 The son of Eric Morecambe has revealed that actor Lenny Rush's involvement was crucial to finally bring his father's novel to the screen after 35 years of trying.
Gary Morecambe said he had been trying to adapt The Reluctant Vampire children's books for television since his late father asked him to in 1982.
The comedian, who lived in Harpenden when he wrote the stories, told his son they "gave him as much pleasure" as his celebrated work with Morecambe and Wise.
After several unsuccessful attempts to bring the books to screen, Morecambe said he had started to lose hope. But he said of the Essex actor's involvement: "Once we made him the star of it, everything then just fell into place."
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in