With Car Share’s Sian Gibson

 Johnny Vegas and Car Share’s Sian Gibson are to star in a comedy film loosely based on Murder On The Orient Express – but set on a Blackpool tour bus.

They lead a star-studded ensemble cast which also includes Nigel Havers, Una Stubbs, Griff Rhys Jones, Nina Wadia, Sheila Reid, Kevin Eldon, Mark Heap, Kimberley Nixon, Katy Cavanagh,  Matthew Cottle, Susie Blake and Javone Prince.

Murder On The Blackpool Express has been written by comedian Jason Cook – who also penned the sitcom Hebburn – and will air as a two-hour special on the Gold channel.

The commission was announced last November, and the casting is revealed as filming starts on location today. The show will be broadcast in the autumn.

Vegas plays Terry, the coach driver, and Gibson is his tour guide, Gemma. Both get caught up in a conspiracy when the trip’s passengers start dying one by one, while also being forced to address their burgeoning attraction for each other.

Vegas said: ‘If the script read-through is anything to go by this is not only going to be immense fun to film, but a real treat for comedy lovers and whodunnits alike. Brilliant casting and laugh-out-loud writing, what's not to be excited about?’

Cook added: ‘It’s been such a joy to work on this. From the beginning, we were just after a show that had big laughs and a lot of heart and I think we've managed to pull it off.

‘And the cast we have managed to get for this is beyond my wildest dreams. Each of them could star in their own show so we've been truly lucky to assemble such a team of comedy royalty.’

Murder On The Blackpool Express will be directed by Simon Delaney, whose previous credits include Cold Feet, Stella and Lead Balloon. Shameless producer Jim Poyser is doing the same job here.

Published: 10 Jul 2017