Author's tragedy HOW WILLY WONKA SAVED ROALD

The world very nearly missed out on the classic tale because of a series of horrific family losses

Adored kids’ movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory turns 50 this year and creator Roald Dahl’s work is as celebrated today as it was when it was first published. But the British author almost never finished the children’s book that helped him on his way to fame and fortune.

Born in 1916, Roald was a pilot in World War 2 before marrying successful Hollywood actress Patricia Neal in 1953.

The handsome RAF officer, turned secret agent, turned journalist, had yet to make his major mark on the world when he walked Patricia up the aisle and she, at first, was the main breadwinner.

The pair would go on to have five children – Olivia, Tessa, Theo, Ophelia and Lucy – but before their family was complete, tragedy would strike three times.

In 1960, their four-month-old son Theo was left brain-damaged when a taxi hit his pram as his nanny crossed the street. Then, two years later, their “gentle” little girl Olivia, seven, died from complications of measles.