by Martin Jefferies

Thanet will burst back onto TV screens this Christmas in a terrifying BBC drama.

Whistle And I’ll Come To You will star the BAFTA winning actor John Hurt, whose illustrious career has included parts in Elephant Man, Alien and Harry Potter.

The drama will feature both Kingsgate Bay and Botany Bay, near Broadstairs, where film crews and actors were spotted last Tuesday and Wednesday.

It is based on Oh Whistle And I’ll Come To You, My Lad – a 1900’s short story by MR James about an academic who encounters a ghost on a remote English beach – and will not be for the faint-hearted.

A BBC spokesman said the film takes its lead from L’Orfanto, The Shining and Japanese horror movies.

Mr Hurt said: “Oh Whistle And I’ll Come To You, My Lad is MR James’ most famous ghost story, and I’m thrilled to be involved in this contemporary reworking of it, particularly as I’ve never done a ghost story before and I love to have new territory to walk.”

Whistle And I’ll Come To You also stars Gemma Jones, of Bridget Jones’ Diary and Spooks fame, and Lesley Sharp, who has had parts in The Full Monty, Doctor Who and Clocking Off.

It is written by Neil Cross and directed by Andy de Emmony.

Mr Cross, who has written for TV series including Luther and Spooks, said: “For reasons I don’t quite understand, I’ve always enjoyed tales that terrify me.

"I grew up loving ghost stories, both classic and modern. But I never got to tell a ghost story until the BBC offered me this opportunity.

“Whistle And I’ll Come To You is a contemporary retelling of one of the greatest, most beloved tales of the supernatural ever told.

"With flawless casting, it aims to break the heart as it chills the soul.”

The film will be shown on BBC2 on an as yet unspecified date over the Christmas period.