ITS plot may seem a little far-fetched but, grand jewellery heist aside, Gangsta Granny was greatly inspired by David Walliams’s own exceptional grandmas.

After capturing the imaginations of little ones across the nation and beyond, the beloved story will hit the Wyvern stage in a new action-packed show on Tuesday.

Sitting captivated at the knees of his two nannas as they span tales of their lives, as a youngster the comedian was amazed at how dramatic and exciting their experiences of World War II had been.

In 2011, he penned Gangsta Granny, which remains his most successful novel to date.

It follows young Ben, who is forced to spend every Friday night with his gran while his parents go ballroom dancing – and it’s always an ordeal of cabbage soup and Scrabble.

Then one day he finds a tin filled with diamonds and gems which leads to the amazing discovery that his granny was once an international jewel thief. Persuaded by Ben, they decide to take on the biggest heist ever to steal the Crown Jewels and the adventure of their lifetimes is about to begin.

Born in Surrey, Walliams studied drama at Bristol University before teaming up with Matt Lucas to create Little Britain. Initially a radio show, it became a television sensation. It went on to win three BAFTAs and has been broadcast in more than 100 countries. In 2008, the actor tried his hand at fiction and released his first children’s book, The Boy in the Dress. He has penned eight novels including Ratburger, Demon Dentist, Mr Stink, Billionaire Boy and Grandpa’s Great Escape .

Two years after it was published, the BBC made a film version of Gangsta Granny with Reece Buttery as Ben and Julia McKenzie as Granny. The star-studded cast also included Joanna Lumley, Rob Brydon, the singer Robbie Williams, Miranda Hart as Ben’s mum and David Walliams as his dad.

Gangsta Granny runs at the Wyvern Theatre from September 27 to October 1. Tickets start at £16. To book go to swindontheatres.co.uk or call 01793 524481.