DAVID WALLIAMS GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO GANGSTA GRANNY: THE RIDE AT ALTON TOWERS

David Walliams has given his official seal of approval to Gangsta Granny: The Ride, Alton Towers Resort’s newest attraction based on his best-selling novel, Gangsta Granny.

Pictured at the Staffordshire Resort on Tuesday 27^th April, Walliams is seen signing off the attraction ahead of its planned opening on 17^th May, before welcoming six local schoolchildren to be the first in the world to experience the unique ride.

The new photos show Walliams quality checking the Resort’s newest ride, ensuring the Beefeaters’ hats are at the perfect angle, the smell of cabbage soup permeates perfectly, and Raj’s Shop contains the infamous Nick ‘n’ Mix.

Walliams then led the six schoolchildren onto the ride to be the world’s official ‘First Riders’ of Gangsta Granny: The Ride. The children could not contain their excitement as they rushed to try out the exhilarating new attraction. 

The thrilling new multi-sensory ride experience will see guests join the main characters as they attempt the greatest heist in the history of the world: to steal the Crown Jewels. The exhilarating journey will see guests hop aboard a Royal Carriage as they set off on a remarkable tour of London’s Crown Jewels only to be swept-up in Ben and Granny’s exhilarating escapade. 

The ride will whizz, twist and spin through the sewers on a 360° special effect laden, wild ride to break into the Crown Jewels vault. Passengers will see, feel, hear and even smell an electrifying and unique re-telling of the Gangsta Granny story.

David Walliams said: “It’s an incredible feeling, I did feel very emotional. I did think ‘wow, how has all this happened’ because the book was written just over 10 years ago, and it’s now famous enough to have its own ride at Alton Towers. I came here as a kid! So, it’s pretty mind-blowing.”

David continued: “I just loved going on the ride, and I can’t wait to come back with my son and nephew because they are both under 10, I mean they both will absolutely freak out when they get to experience it. “

The ride’s launch is planned for 17th May now that David Walliams has given his official approval on Gangsta Granny: The Ride. The attraction lives in The World of David Walliams with bargains to be found in Raj’s Shop, a host of Royal Guards brought to life on-site, the Royal Carousel where you can race on regal thoroughbreds, Raj’s Bottom Burpwhich delivers a bumpy ride and much more. 

Gangsta Granny Facts

• First published: 27^th October 2011
• Anniversary edition published: 2018
• Gangsta Granny was David’s first children’s number one bestseller
• It stayed at the top of The Sunday Times top ten for 24 weeks
• Overall sales of Gangsta Granny are 1.75 million in the UK alone
• Gangsta Granny has also been adapted for the stage by the Birmingham Stage Company
• A television adaptation was commissioned by the BBC in 2013 and first aired on BBC One on Boxing Day 2013. The cast includes Miranda Hart, Rob Brydon, David Walliams as Ben’s Dad and Joanna Lumley as The Queen.  It is currently available to view on Netflix.

About David Walliams 

David Walliams has revolutionised reading for children and has become one of the most influential children’s writers today. Since the publication of his ground-breaking first novel, The Boy in the Dress (2008), Walliams has seen unprecedented growth with global sales exceeding 40 million copies, and his books translated into 55 languages. Collectively across his titles, David has celebrated over 60 weeks (non-consecutive) at number one in the overall book charts and more than 185 weeks (non-consecutive) at number one in the Children’s charts – an achievement no other children’s writer has reached.

In 2020, David released three fiction titles, The World’s Worst Parents, Slime, and Code Name Bananas and all three titles went straight to number one in the children’s and overall bestseller charts. In 2020 alone, David’s titles spent 14 weeks at the top of the overall bestseller charts and an astonishing 35 weeks at the top of the children’s charts.  

About HarperCollins

HarperCollins Children’s Books, unprecedented three times winner of Children’s Publisher of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016) is one of the leading publishers of children’s books, recognised for nurturing new talent as well as boasting a reputable list of established best-selling authors. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many children’s classics, including The Chronicles of Narnia, the Paddington stories, The Cat in the Hat and The Tiger Who Came to Tea, and to some of the biggest names in children’s literature catalogue past and present, including David Walliams, Judith Kerr, David Baddiel, Lauren Child, Oliver Jeffers and Michael Morpurgo. 

HarperCollins Publishers is the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 17 countries. With 200 years of history and more than 120 branded imprints around the world, HarperCollins publishes approximately 10,000 new books every year in 16 languages and has a print and digital catalogue of more than 200,000 titles. Writing across dozens of genres, HarperCollins authors include winners of the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Newbery and Caldecott Medals and the Man Booker Prize. HarperCollins, headquartered in New York, is a subsidiary of News Corp (Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) and can be visited online at corporate.HC.com.

Alton Towers Resort

Escape to Alton Towers Resort in 2021 and get ready to experience Gangsta Granny: The Ride and help Granny and Ben pull off the greatest jewel heist in history! Take a spin through the sewers on a 360° special-effects-laden, wild ride to break into the crown jewels vault. Can you grab the jewels and make an explosive escape? Careful, if the Feds catch you, you’ll be in a right royal mess!  And don’t miss the other delightful new rides and attractions from The World of David Walliams including The Royal Carousel, Raj’s Shop and Raj’s Bottom Burp!

For more laughs and thrills spin back to the 80’s  as you bounce, spin and fly on The Retro Squad, three new totally awesome and wickedly retro pop-up rides. Cowabunga! 

Throughout 2021 as well as launching amazing new attractions, the Resort will be hosting a season of celebrations for the nation to enjoy including the arrival of Mardi Gras, a brand-new carnival inspired takeover, as well as the return of fan favourites Oktoberfest and Scarefest.  

Thanks to so much to do, Alton Towers Resort provides the ultimate staycation option with  five uniquely themed hotels and accommodation options for a truly unforgettable escape for friends, families and thrillseekers alike!  

Strict health and safety measures are currently in place to help guests have a fun-filled and safe escape to the Resort. A full overview of additional hygiene measures that have been implemented can be found here.

For more information about Alton Towers Resort or to book your fantastical escape, please visit www.altontowers.com