Roald Dahl, one of the most successful children’s authors in the world, was an outstanding storyteller and a master of mischievous invention. His creations – from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, The Twits, James and The Giant Peach and Matilda - have enduring appeal, through films, plays, musicals, and most potently of all, through the pure magic of his madcap books.

This autumn, over the course of a weekend ITV3 looks at Dahl’s huge enduring appeal in two newly commissioned films – Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rule Book and The Unexpected Roald Dahl. In Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rule Book Richard E Grant takes a look at the eight weird and wonderful laws that govern all of his creations and make all his work so peculiarly grotesque. The rules range from the sinister – Rule 3: Bad Things Happen and Rule 4: Revenge Is Sweet, to the whimsical – Rule 1: Just add chocolate.

Richard E Grant explores what makes Roald Dahl’s work so adored and speaks to celebrity fans and Dahl’s collaborators, including Quentin Blake, Jo Brand, Miriam Margolyes, Heston Blumenthal, Anthony Horowitz and Michael Rosen.

The Unexpected Roald Dahl takes a look at the Dahl which his readers may not be familiar with, a man who made his way through life with a mixture of cold calculation and whimsical fantasy. He was, at different times in his life, a best-selling author, fighter pilot, spy, the creator of a pioneering piece of medical equipment, as well as being husband to an Oscar winning actress and father of five.

Roald Dahl is considered one of the most unusual of writers. In this film we explore how that may not be surprising when you realize just how unusual he was as a person. Contributors to the programme include Dahl’s first wife, Patricia Neal, his widow Liccy Dahl and Sophie Dahl, alongside other Dahl experts and family members. As well as these new commissions we will also be presenting a selection of Dahl’s classic films and TV series. From Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory as well as classic episodes of his dark, but much-loved TV series, Tales of The Unexpected. [Mof Gimmers]