Playing the title character's dad

Colin Hoult has joined the cast of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾.

The comedian will play George Mole, father of the titular teenager, in the new adaptation of Sue Townsend’s 1980s-set bestseller for BBC One.

As previously announced, Oliver Savell – who plays the young Alan Carr in the ITV autobiographical comedy Changing Ends – will play the title character in the new adaptation. The BBC today issued this first image of him in the role:

Also announced as joining the cast today are Lisa McGrillis as mum Pauline, Pam Ferris as Grandma, Galaxie Clear as Pandora and Alun Armstrong  as Bert.  

Filming has just got under way in and around Hartlepool with One Day author David Nicholls adapting the script with a writing team that comprises  Caitlin and Caroline Moran, who were behind Raised By Wolves, Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor (Everyone Else Burns) and Jack Rooke (Big Boys). 

Nine half-hour episodes are being made by Big Talk Studios

Other cast also announced today include Jude Forsey as Nigel, Rory Keenan as Mr Lucas, David Wilmot as Mr Scruton and Karl Collins as Mr Cherry.

Hoult – known for playing the gregarious Anna Mann on the live circuit - played Ken Otley in Ricky Gervais’s After Life, with other recent credits including  Black Ops, Amadeus and Brassic.

• Click here to make Chortle a 'preferred source' on Google, which means results from this site will appear higher in your search results.

Published: 14 Apr 2026