Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory child stars then and now: What happened since 1971?

The film, later remade with Johnny Depp in the role of Willy Wonka, was directed by Mel Stuart and was only a mild success, grossing $4 million at the box office.

It was in later years that it became more popular, even though Dahl himself completely disowned it.

Gene Wilder played the titular character here, and Dahl was disappointed that Spike Milligan was not cast - and also that it placed too much effort on him and not on lead character Charlie Bucket.

So what became of the young cast?

Peter Ostrum as Charlie Bucket

Ostrum, now 60, turned down the opportunities to act in further movies.

Instead he launched a veterinary career, and in 1984 received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.

Denise Nickerson as Violet Beauregarde

Nickerson went on to star in the soap opera Dark Shadows and has had a number of smaller parts over the years, but largely stayed away from the A-list of acting.

When Gene Wilder died in 2016, she tweeted: “You were so talented and kindhearted. You will be sorely missed by so many. All of us have lost OUR Willy Wonka. Love, Violet.”

Julie Dawn Cole as Veruca Salt

Cole, 60, now works as a psychotherapist - but did continue to pursue acting until around 2013.

Her credits include Emmerdale, Married For Life and WYSIWYG. In fact she appeared in the soap twice: as Pip Coulter in the late 1970s, and Barbara Hope for three episodes in 2006. She has also been in Casualty multiple times.

Michael Bollner as Augustus Gloop

Bollner focussed on school rather than acting when Willy Wonka finished.

He had a handful more screen jobs in Germany, but now - according to Business Insider - works as an accountant.

Paris Themmen as Mike Teavee

Themmen has worked as an actor, casting director and entrepreneur since he played Mike Teavee at the age of 12.

Earlier this year he hit headlines when he appeared on US gameshow Jeopardy! Amazingly, he didn’t mention it on the air - but viewers at home recognised him instantly.