Mackenzie Crook talks to birds like Worzel Gummidge

Mackenzie Crook prepared for his role as Worzel Gummidge by talking to the birds in his garden.

The 48-year-old actor stars as the much-loved talking scarecrow - previously played by the late Jon Pertwee until 1995 - in the BBC One reboot.

But Mackenzie has long been ready to take on the legendary role as he too speaks to the birds.

He explained: "I\'ve a robin in my garden who has been feeding from my hand for three years."

The original ran for four series from 1979 until 1981 on ITV, in a special to celebrate 40 years of ITV.

Now, Mackenzie - who has also written and directed the project - will be back as the titular scarecrow - who gets into mischief on Scatterbrook Farm with his interchangeable heads, with each one giving him a special skill.

He appears in the remake alongside \'Inside No. 9\' star Steve Pemberton, who plays Farmer Braithewaite, Zoe Wanamarker, who stars as Lady Bloomsbury Barton, and \'Monty Python\' member Sir Michael Palin, who plays the Green Man who creates the scarecrows.

However, unlike the \'Pirates of the Caribbean\' star, Steve doesn\'t have much in common with his new role.

He quipped: "These hands have not done manual work at all."

Talking about his joy to land the role, Palin said: "It\'s a lovely part for me, but the whole script is very memorable and touching, and very funny too. It quite skilfully weaves in something for everybody all the time."

Wanamaker added she is confident the highly anticipated reboot will prove popular with viewers.

She explained: "The whole thing is so charming and inventive. It\'s the sort of thing I\'d watch. I\'m sure it will be a huge success."

Vicki Pepperdine and Rosie Cavaliero have also joined the cast as Aunt Sally and Mrs. Braithwaite respectively.