David Walliams is set to star in a new crime series on BBC One, based on Agatha Christie's two books 'The Secret Adversary' and 'N or M'. The comedy star will play one half of the married duo Tommy and Tuppence in 'Partners in Crime' - a six part series.

David WalliamsDavid Walliams to star in 'Tommy and Tuppence'

Walliams - who also co-wrote the series - said: "In bringing these thrilling stories to the screen, it is our ambition for Tommy and Tuppence to finally take their rightful place alongside Poirot and Marple as iconic Agatha Christie characters."

'Partners in Crime' is the first of a strong of Christie adaptions for the BBC, to celebrate what would have been in the author's 125th birthday. The famous crime writer - who died in 1976 - will also have her life explored in various new documentaries.

Next year, the BBC will also air a three-part adaptation of 'And Then There Were None', written by the playwright Sarah Phelps. 

Ben Stephenson, the BBC's controller, drama commissioning, said he hoped the new adaptations would return Christie to "the pantheon of truly great British writers."

Many of Christie's famous works have been adapted by ITV over the past 20 years, including Poirot, with David Suchet. 

BBC1 has also commissioned fourth series for two of its most popular dramas, Call The Midwife and Death in Paradise.