Dick Van Dyke sweeps back for Mary Poppins sequel

Dick Van Dyke has confirmed he will Step (Back) In Time with "a little song and dance number" in the Mary Poppins sequel.

The 91-year-old actor, who played chimney sweep Bert and banker Mr Dawes Sr in the 1964 classic, will star alongside Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he said: "This one supposedly takes place 20 years later and the kids are all grown up.

"It's a great cast - Meryl Streep, Angela Lansbury and that guy (Lin-Manuel Miranda) from Hamilton."

Colin Firth, Emily Mortimer and Ben Whishaw have also signed up.

Van Dyke told Entertainment Tonight that directors wanted him to play the banker's son in the sequel Mary Poppins Returns, and that he will begin filming his scenes in the spring.

He said: "I'll be going to London in the spring to do my role, and I get to do a little song and dance number.

"I gotta be a part of it."

In the sequel, the children from the original Jane and Michael are grown up and are dealing with a "personal loss", when they are visited again by their former nanny.

The original Mary Poppins won four Oscars, including best actress for Julie Andrews as the eponymous nanny.

The film is expected to be released in time for Christmas 2018.