Zeta Jones Joins Stellar Line-Up For Dad's Army

Catherine Zeta Jones is to join a host of British talent in a new big screen version of the World War Two comedy Dad's Army.

The actress will play a journalist covering the hapless Home Guard volunteers as they go in search of a spy in Walmington-on-Sea.

Tom Courtenay will play Corporal Jones and Michael Gambon takes on Godfrey in the adaptation of the TV show.

Toby Jones has already been announced in the role of pompous bank manager Captain Mainwaring - played by Arthur Lowe in the original - and Bill Nighy will play his deputy, Sergeant Wilson.

Other cast members include Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison as Private Pike and Danny Mays as the spiv Walker and there are also roles for Sarah Lancashire, Alison Steadman, Mark Gatiss and Annette Crosbie.

Director Oliver Parker will begin filming this month in Yorkshire.

The show ran from 1968 to 1977, attracting 18 million viewers at its height, and the original cast made a film in 1971.

Some two million still people tune in for repeats of the old show which was the creation of Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

Another Dad's Army film was made in 1971 and was based on material from early episodes of the series.

Critics were mixed in their opinions about the film but it performed well at the box office. Although there was talk about a sequel, it was never made.

The Home Guard was a defence organisation made up of local volunteers who were not eligible for military service, usually owing to their age.