He was naughty Ben, now he's Just William

HE creates havoc as mischievous middle child Ben Brockman in Outnumbered - now viewers are about to see young actor Daniel Roche get even naughtier in the title role in Just William.

The ten-year-old cut off his trademark curly locks to play tearaway William Brown in a TV adaptation of the Richmal Crompton books, to be shown in a weekend teatime slot on BBC1 later this year.

Just William will follow the exploits of the 11-year-old tearaway schoolboy and his band of adventurous "outlaws", whose dastardly deeds include a spot of photographic blackmail and the kidnapping of a pair of parrots.

Rebecca Front and Daniel Ryan have been cast as William's long-suffering parents, while Caroline Quentin and Warren Clarke star as new neighbours the Botts.

Martin Jarvis, the voice behind the classic Just William recordings, will narrate.

The series, which will also be broadcast on children's channel CBBC, features actors Denis Lawson, John Sessions and Bruce Mackinnon as William's exasperated teachers.

The Just William collection of short stories was first published in 1922 and are said to have sold more than 12 million copies in the UK alone.

Roche has won acclaim from critics and viewers for his role as the lying, stubborn and hyperactive child Ben in BBC1's semi-improvised sitcom hit Outnumbered.

CBBC's controller, Damian Kavanagh, said: ""I can't think of anyone better than Daniel Roche to bring the loveable rogue William to the attention of a new generation."