CHARLIE Bucket’s Grandpa Joe has been charged with fraudulent benefit claims dating back more than two decades.

Following a DWP ‘Golden Ticket’ sting operation, the 96-year-old was filmed dancing, singing and showing no signs of the unspecified illness that had supposedly confined him to bed for 20 years.

Benefits investigator Roy Hobbs said: “The suspect, walking unaided, then accompanied his grandson to a nearby factory to collect further handouts of everlasting gobstoppers.

“Our officer, who was disguised as an eccentric recluse, arrested him on the spot. Charlie’s parents have been imprisoned for allowing their son to take unauthorised holidays during term time.

“Charlie has been taken into care and the factory, together with its indentured staff of illegal immigrants, has been handed over to rich children who can be trusted to run it responsibly.”