Johnny Vegas is to star in a TV adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Bleak House.

The comic is to play Krook, the drunken proprietor of a rag and bone shop, in the new BBC1 drama.

In the book, the character spontaneously combusts because of all the alcohol in his blood

The series will be directed by Andrew Davies, who previously adapted Pride and Prejudice, according to today’s Independent.

Vegas told the newspaper: "We intend to make the book into a prime-time show rather than just bunging it on to BBC2.

"It's about bringing culture to the mainstream, where they'd normally have a home makeover show."

The costume drama is expected to air next autumn.