COMEDIAN and presenter Rufus Hound will star as Mr Toad in a new musical version of the Wind in the Willows which comes to the Lowry, Salford Quays in October.

The cast for the show which will embark on its world premiere tour has been announced and includes Irish actor and singer Fra Fee as Mole, Downton Abbey’s Thomas Howes as Ratty, EastEnders bad-boy and Shrek star Neil McDermott as Chief Weasel and Sophia Nomvete as Mrs Otter.

Based on Kenneth Grahame’s novel which has captivated generations of readers for over a century, The Wind in the Willows has been adapted for the stage with a book by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and Olivier Award-winning composer and lyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Fellowes, Stiles and Drewe previously collaborated together on the hugely successful international hit musical Mary Poppins which ran for three years in the West End and six years on Broadway and on a new version of Half a Sixpence, soon to open at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

Rufus Hound said: “I - like so many of us - was weaned on The Wind in the Willows, so this is an incredibly special opportunity. Bringing these adventures to a brand new audience is almost as exciting as a gleaming new motorcar. Roll on rehearsals! Poop poop!”

Julian Fellowes added: “This new adaptation has been such a joy to write, and we have pulled together a really marvellous array of extraordinary talent in casting the production. I’ve no doubt that our actors are going to have the time of their lives taking these memorable characters on the journey from page to stage. I hope and believe the audience will have a lot of fun!”

n The Wind in the Willows, the Lowry, Salford Quays, Thursday, October 27 to Sunday, November 6. Details from 0843 208 6005.