Jack Whitehall says working with John Cleese in new film was 'amazing'

The English comedian stars as Casey, who sets out on adventure with his niece Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) after she encounters a magical animal rescuer (Cleese) who gifts her a red puppy that grows to be ten feet tall.

Speaking to FM104 ahead of the film’s release this Friday, Jack said that he was thrilled work with Monty Python legend John Cleese on set.

“He’s amazing,” the 33-year-old gushed.

“John Cleese is one of my comedy heroes and the opportunity to get to work with the great man was amazing.

“And he’s so fun – he's got such a great sense of humour, he’s a really avuncular presence on set and I love that even though he’s whatever age he is, he’s got this sense of mischief. He was a real joy to work with.”

The Londoner said that he feels extremely proud of the film, especially because his friends’ kids can finally see him on screen.

“With a movie like this, it’s a movie that people will watch over and over again,” he explained.

“Kids will be watching it for the next 10 to 20 years and that’s a really exciting feeling, to be part of something like that.

“And also for me, just to be part of something like this that kids can actually watch because thus far, my material and my output has been wholly inappropriate for a certain age bracket.

“So, it’s just nice to have made something that my friends can take their kids to.

“I did a screening yesterday for friends and family and they brought all of their kids and I got a few text messages this morning saying that children had requested red dogs in various shapes and sizes and I was to blame for this.

“I think that’s going to be a conversation that a lot of parents are going to have after taking their kids to see this in the cinema.”

Clifford The Big Red Dog hits Irish cinemas on Friday December 10th.