Joe Sugg to edit Dennis the Menace anniversary issue of Beano

Joe Sugg will guest-edit a special Beano comic to celebrate 70 years of one of its best-loved characters, Dennis the Menace.

The special issue, which celebrates Dennis’ first appearance in the Beano on March 17, 1951, will feature the YouTuber and former Strictly Come Dancing star in his own comic strip.

Also featured will be his girlfriend and dance partner Dianne Buswell, Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood and other friends and family.

Sugg, who is a lifelong Beano fan, has also penned multiple strips for the limited edition comic, including creating his own Beano character Archie Ology.

The strip Birthday Prank-Ageddon sees him team up with Dennis for a prank on Beanotown and refers to his stint on Strictly and pokes fun at his fainting spell in the Bake Off tent.

Beano: Joe Sugg has been a fan of the comic since he was a boy. PA Media

As a child, Sugg would practise drawing his favourite Beano characters and in his editor’s letter he shares a comic strip he drew in his youth.

It features himself alongside his favourite Beano character at the time, Calamity James, as well as a childhood photo of himself sporting a Dennis-inspired black-and-red striped coat.

The special edition has been expanded into a 48-page bumper edition to accommodate all of Sugg’s ideas.

He said: “I am incredibly excited to be the guest editor of Dennis’ birthday comic.

“I grew up with Dennis, reading Beano each week, and I can’t wait for readers to see all the fun, pranks, and surprises we’ve worked into the special issue.

“This really is a dream project for me.”

The Beano, published by DC Thomson in Dundee, is the longest running British children’s comic magazine.

It first appeared on July 30, 1938, and was published weekly. It reached its 4000th issue on August 28, 2019.

Mike Stirling, editorial director of Beano Studios, said: “It’s fantastic to work with Joe Sugg for our commemorative issue celebrating Dennis’ 70th anniversary.

“We truly believe that everyone has a little bit of Dennis in them but Joe definitely embodies the Dennis spirit through and through.

“He’s fun, cheeky and full of lolz which is what Dennis and Beano have always been about. We can’t wait for fans to get their hands on the special issue.”