The Sentinel published Christmas TV: The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm…

Harry Hill as Professor Branestawm.

HARRY Hill as a mad professor? Of course! Its a perfect fit.

Hill makes his acting debut as Professor Branestawm in a story taken from Norman Hunters classic childrens books adapted by Fast Show actor and author Charlie Higson.

Branestawm is the original mad professor, an absent-minded inventor oblivious to the chaos his harebrained creations cause when they go wrong. Which they always do.

If it werent for the efforts of his long-suffering housekeeper Mrs Flittersnoop (Vicki Pepperdine) and his dim but loyal best friend Colonel Dedshott (Simon Day), the professor would long ago have blown himself to smithereens.

Set in the picturesque English landscape of days gone by, the hour-long special sees schoolgirl Connie (Madeline Holliday) come to the professors rescue when evil businessman Mr Bullimore (Ben Miller) and local councillor Harold Haggerstone (David Mitchell) unite to have Branestawm kicked out for being a dangerous menace. However, they have their own plans for a giant munitions factory in the middle of the town.

Hill has revealed hes something in common with his character he was a budding schoolboy scientist and inventor himself. I loved that stuff, he says. Me and a couple of friends set up a little chemical industry in Kent when I was about 11. We made smoke bombs, stink bombs and fireworks and sold them to the kids at school.

We were quite good at it but one of our friends resigned because he couldnt cope with demand. He was giving people the produce on credit and not taking any money, so he had to go.

I loved the Professor Branestawm books as a kid, he adds. I was fascinated by Heath Robinsons illustrations too. Its a thrill for me to be playing the prof.

It would seem this classic of childrens literature has found its perfect match in Higsons inventive adaptation and a kindred lead with the warmly hilarious Harry Hill. The result is great knockabout fun.

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The Sentinel published Christmas TV: The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm...