The comedian telling the extraordinary story of a Mary Poppins actor

Miles Jupp is in a one-man show about the life of Mary Poppins actor David Tomlinson at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. Credit: ITV News Anglia / Pathe

If you've seen the original Mary Poppins film you'll remember the character Mr Banks, the father of the children and the epitome of an English gent.

Now a one man play in Cambridge is telling the fascinating story of the actor who played him.

  • Click to watch a report by ITV News Anglia's Matthew Hudson

Renowned British actor David Tomlinson was famous for Mary Poppins and Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Quintessentially English with his own style and class - actor and comedian Miles Jupp is playing Tomlinson in the play "The Life I Lead" in Cambridge.

It's a one man show written by James Kettle who always wanted Jupp to play the part.

Miles Jupp in the one-man show

Tomlinson's life story mixes joy, humour and poignancy.

Already a successful actor he was catapulted to international stardom by his roles in Disney movies.

But his life was not without darkness. His first wife killed herself and her two children months after their marriage. His own father had a secret second family.

  • The Life I Lead is at the Cambridge Arts Theatre until Saturday 14 September