Izzard to star in Christmas film

Izzard completed his 26th marathon in 31 days in Northern Ireland

Comedian and actor Eddie Izzard will star in a new family drama this Christmas, the BBC has announced.

The star will play a man who appears on Manchester's snowy streets at Christmas Eve with a mysterious power he uses to change the lives of five people.

The Lost Christmas will be written and directed by John Hay, and will also star Jason Flemyng.

"The story came off the page for me, somehow uplifting and very poignant at the same time," Flemyng said.

"It just reminded me of all those Christmas films I used to sit down in front of a fire and watch as a kid."

Richard Deverell, controller of BBC Children's, said: "The Lost Christmas promises to be a magical and feel-good family film, but which is built around the ordinary hardships and hurdles many families face."

Izzard is currently on a mammoth 1,000-mile run around the UK for the Sport Relief charity.

On Wednesday he completed his 26th marathon in 31 days in Northern Ireland.