Comedian Ben Miller is on a mission to teach kids science, but with plenty of slapstick thrown in for good measure in new CITV series Horrible Science.

The 49-year-old heads up the 10-part series about a family of characters trying to put on a science show. Based on the popular children’s books written by Horrible Histories author Nick Arnold, Horrible Science will also deliver an educational slant as it entertains children.

The cast of Horrible Science
The cast of Horrible Science (ITV/Hat Trick/PA)

In addition to starring, the former Death In Paradise actor serves as executive producer alongside Pointless presenter Alexander Armstrong, his long-time comedy partner. Horrible Science is from their production company, Toff.

Talking about the series, ben points to the natural curiosity of children: “I think any five-year-old worth his salt could put Stephen Hawking in a bind with his questions. It’s when they keep saying ‘Why?’ and you eventually get to a question you can’t answer: ‘Why? Because I said so!’.”

(Yui Mok/PA Archive/PA Images)
Ben Miller (Yui Mok/PA)

Each episode has a theme – Gruesome Guts, Vicious Veg, Bulging Brains, Chemical Chaos – explored with comedy sketches, experiments and songs.

There is also a segment in which a celebrity plays a famous scientist (Edward Jenner, for example, the first doctor to vaccinate people against smallpox). Guest actors already lined up include exec producer Alexander, who is also the new voice of the CBBC reboot of CITV classic Danger Mouse.

Although aimed at children primarily between the ages of 6 and 12, the 10-part series will also delight adults.

Ben explained his Horrible Science vision: “With this series, we really wanted it to be funny first and scientific second. We wanted to connect with children who had been put off science.”

He added: “I’ve got two sons who were fascinated by the brain puppet when they came on set. My three-year-old started asking, ‘Will you come home with me? Will you be my friend?’.”

The Armstrong And Miller Show comic’s enthusiasm for Horrible Science is infectious: “The series is very funny, and you never really see something funny about science.”

Horrible Science begins on ITV on Sunday, September 13.