Children will get the chance to meet Henry Winkler, known for playing the Fonz in Happy Days, before his performance in Richmond Theatre’s Christmas pantomime.

Winkler will star as Captain Hook in Peter Pan this year and will host a one-off book signing of his Hank Zipzer books before turning on the town’s Christmas lights at the Richmond Frost Fayre.

Winkler is probably better known to younger audiences as a champion of young readers and author of the World’s Greatest Underachiever children’s books, which feature a dyslexic protagonist and are based on his own childhood struggles in school.

The fast-paced funny series follows 12-year-old Henry Hank Zipzer, a smart and resourceful boy with a unique perspective on the world.

Hank has dyslexia and when problems arise he deals with them in a way no one else would.

This puts him on a direct collision course with his teachers and parents, who do not seem to appreciate his latest scheme as much as he thought they would.

The BBC is making a new comedy series of the Hank Zipzer adventures, which will star Winkler as Mr Rock the music teacher, and is due to air in January.

Winkler was awarded an OBE in recognition of his educational work on dyslexia in 2011.

Henry Winkler Book Signing; Waterstone’s, Hill Street, Richmond; Saturday, November 30, 4.30pm to 5.30pm. Free.