After becoming a television icon with his hilarious ITV show TV Burp, British comedian Harry Hill is ready to crack the big-screen with his film debut The Harry Hill Movie.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that filming has begun on the upcoming musical comedy and will see Hill star alongside Julie Walters (Billy Elliot, Harry Potter series), Simon Bird (The Inbetweeners, Friday Night Dinner), Sheridan Smith (The Royle Family, Mrs Biggs), Matt Lucas (Little Britain, Bridesmaids) and Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rouge!, Cloud Atlas).

The film’s plot sees Hill travel to Blackpool with his alcoholic Nan (Walters) only to discover his pet hamster has one week to live. However his situation is complicated by both a vet (Bird) and his estranged brother Otto (Lucas) though he also encounters love in the shape of a female undersea shell person (Smith).

The BAFTA-winning comedian had this to say about the film:

“I’m thrilled at last to be able to tell the world the true story of my hamster’s struggle on the big screen and even more excited to be working with some of the comedy greats of the British film industry.”

Expected to appeal to a lot of families, the film is being directed Steve Bendelack (Mr Bean’s Holiday) and is produced by Entertainment Film Distributors. The release date is set for the end of 2013.

Hmmm, I liked Harry Hill when he did TV Burp but I also hate the idea of him doing this film. Which do you think is better? There’s only one way to find out….FIGHT!!!!