News about Pam Ferris

Magic formulas must exist for successful TV shows, but actors and writers have yet to find a foolproof spell. Instead, they keep falling back on the classics, remaking favourite shows in the hopes that lightning will strike twice. Here we examine eight classics and compare them to their remakes - some are better than the original, some are more popular but equally good, and at least one of them is a horrible clunker.

This World Book Day, Theodore Partasides, 3, from Highgate, is Zog. The lovable dragon was written by the same writers who wrote the equally popular children's book The Gruffalo on World Book Day. In Roald Dahl's Matilda, another child opted to dress as Miss Trunchball, the arch nemesis of the titular character. The teenage girl's costume seemed to be inspired by the 1996 film adaptation of the novel in which Pam Ferris appeared as the terrifying headmistress of Matilda's school. The McDonagh siblings from Bushey wore a variety of costumes. One sibling dressed as the lion from Dear Zoo, but there was no crate from the zoo. It also includes a flap that opens to reveal the lion inside.

The end of October means that it is officially spooky season is upon us, and celebrities around the world are set to sport their wildest and scary costumes to celebrate Halloween. Famous faces are spotted in swanky bars and clubs for one night of the year, trying to out-do one another with the most original outfit design. Some choose to recreate a well-known celebrity by doing a long-tail twist on a current pop culture villain, while others choose to do their own spin on a well-known celebrity. Can you tell which celebrity is sporting each iconic costume ahead of the big night?

CHRISTOPHER STEVENS: What's the point of it? I can't see why the Larkins (ITV) exists or who is supposed to enjoy it for the life of me. The original Darling Buds Of May, starring David Jason and Pam Ferris, was a national phenomenon. Catherine Zeta Jones, 21, who played the oldest of the Larkin brood, Mariette, was a major role. And for a couple of years, Pop's catchphrase 'Perfick!' Everyone was on everyone's lips when it was announced. The show, on the other hand, is based on H.E. Since it took its escapism seriously, Bates' short stories were a huge success. We grew up in the days of fresh air and tax avoidance, Sunday roast dinners, and romps in the haystack.