Rowan Atkinson to appear in Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories, the BBC’s historical sketch show, is making a comeback – and its bringing a heap of special guest stars with it, including Rowan Atkinson.

The Blackadder star returns to period comedy to play Henry VIII, in the show’s sixth series.

Other guest stars will include Ben Miller, as King John; Tom Rosenthal as Alfred The Great; Kevin Eldon as William The Conqueror, and Lorna Watson as Boudica, and Sanjeev Bashkar.

Although the show’s fifth series was touted as its last, its return was recently confirmed by historical consultant Greg Jenner.

The new series will branch out into world history, while sticking to its “much-loved revolting recipe of sketches and songs, peppered with gruesome gags and hideous hilarity”, said the BBC.

The series will also feature a special episode marking 800 years since the signing of the Magna Carta. The episode will contain a rap battle between King John and his barons, and will air on CBBC and BBC2, as part of the channel’s Magna Carta season of programmes.

Also returning are a number of the original cast, including Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Sarah Hadman and Lawrie Lewin, alongside a host of new comedy performers.

The original Horrible Histories team have gone on to write and star in Sky’s family comedy show Yonderland, and will soon be appearing in cinemas in Bill, a comedy centered around the early years of William Shakespeare.

CBBC controller Cheryl Taylor said: “Horrible Histories has a well-earned reputation as one of the most popular TV shows of a generation, delighting children and adults alike.

“CBBC was delighted to hear that a sixth series was on the cards and to combine the considerable talents of the some of the original cast with such a dazzling array of well-known and hilarious guest stars is the icing on a very large and delicious historical cake. We are all fidgeting with ill-concealed anticipation.”