Sean Connolly - talks about his Derby roots and 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' with Andy Potter on BBC Radio Derby live at 2.10pm.

Sean Connolly waiting to go live on BBC Radio Derby for a chat on the Andy Potter Show.

I was very kindly invited to talk on the Andy Potter Show on BBC Radio Derby earlier today to talk about my life as an actor and voice artist. Had a great time talking to Andy about my Derby roots and how I embarked on this crazy career, all those years ago! I was patched over to the BBC Radio Derby studios from the BBC Mailbox broom cupboard in Birmingham (see above!).

'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' Post Screening Reception at the Criterion Restaurant, Piccadily, London.

The palatial surroundings of the Criterion Restaurant in London's Piccadilly.

After all the excitement of the screening itself, it was over to the magnificent Criterion Restaurant for the after screening reception. The tables had largely been removed giving the impression of an opulent ballroom. Myself and fellow 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' voice actor Kate Harbour hit the floor!

Tony Collingwood, Sean Connolly and Kate Harbour at the 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' reception.

To my right is animation legend Tony Collingwood, who has produced such shows as 'THE SECRET SHOW', 'DENNIS AND GNASHER', 'HARRY AND HIS BUCKET FULL OF DINOSAURS' & 'GORDON THE GARDEN GNOME' to name but a few. To my left is voice goddess Kate Harbour who amongst her many credits plays Wendy, Dizzy, Pilchard and Scratch in 'BOB THE BUILDER' as well as being loads of animals in Aardman's 'TIMMY TIME' and playing Timmy's Mum in ''SHAUN THE SHEEP' oh I nearly forgot she also played Anita Knight in 'THE SECRET SHOW' and many others, wow! In 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' she reprises her role as Timmy's Mum but also plays Meryl the manageress of the Barber Shop. So much talent in the room!!

Some of the voice cast of 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE'; Kate Harbour, Justin Fletcher, Richard Starzac (writer and co-director), Sean Connolly and John Sparkes.

'A CLOSE SHAVE' with Ed Sheeran at 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' Premiere - a daughter's heartache!!

Ed Sheeran waiting for the European Premiere of the 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' to begin.

First let me start by saying that my daughter Erin is a massive Ed Sheeran fan. In fact her very first concert was seeing him play at the iconic Madison Square Gardens in New York two years ago. We were very fortunate that Ed happened to be playing in NYC whilst we were on holiday there.   

Well our luck with Ed definitely ran out at the 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' screening, we only found out AFTERWARDS at the post screening party that he was there, in the same cinema screen, just a couple of rows to our left!

To say Erin was disappointed is quite possibly the understatement of the year! I really felt for her as it was the perfect opportunity for her to meet her idol and I had the perfect reason to say hi to him, it was not to be. 

I have tried to contact Ed via Twitter but with 12.3 million followers it's hardly surprising my pleas have not got through. 

So if you ever read this post Ed, please do get in touch!

'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' - 'Green' Carpet Premiere at the Vue Cinema, Leicester Square, London.

Sean Connolly with family at the Green Carpet Premiere of 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' at the Vue Cinema, Leicester Square, London - January 25th 2015

Yesterday we travelled to London for the very special European Premiere of the 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE'. It was made all the more special as I was able to share it with my wife, actress Bella Hamblin and our daughter Erin. We couldn't quite believe the scale of the event; a special green bus was on show and many amusing sign posts alluding to the film's storyline. At our allotted time we made our way down to 'walk the green carpet'. It was a surreal time for us all being surrounded by fans and photographers. Unsurprisingly we weren't stopped for a photo ourselves, such is the anonymity of a voice actor and their family. We decided to dwell a little on the carpet before we went into the screening and take our own pictures. These were after all moments to be treasured, we were determined to make the most of it! 

Sean Connolly on the Red/Green carpet for the European Premiere of 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' - January 25th 2015.

Once inside it seemed the whole cinema had been given over to the film, posters, full size cut outs of the main characters, everywhere we looked there was Shaun! Taking our seats we noticed each seat had a pair of special Shaun ears. My lovely family decided early on that they didn't suit me, particularly with my choice of head wear for the day! We then realised that we were sitting directly in front of 'Shaun' himself, king of Children's TV - Justin Fletcher! When our daughter was growing up watching Justin on CBeebies, she would often say to my wife, 'Mum, why don't you marry Justin?' Meeting Justin brought all that back, we didn't share that story with him, much to Erin's relief! I had not met him previously as it's usual to record our bits separately in studio, so this was a real treat. We realised that we had quite a few mutual friends, so that was great ice breaker, not that any ice needed breaking! He was very generous with his time posing for countless photos, I think we actually started the requests with this picture (see below).

Justin Fletcher (voice of Shaun the Sheep), Erin Connolly and Sean Connolly posing at the European Premiere of 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE'.

Introductions and thanks were given by the production team, then we all sat back and watched a quite extraordinary film! It was Ramtastic!! 

'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' – Official Trailer

Wool look it's the Official Trailer for the 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' in all it's glory!

Voice Actor Sean Connolly announces numerous roles in Aardman's 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE'.

One of the main posters for 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE'.

After nearly a year of keeping this a secret I can finally reveal that I have recorded numerous characters in the new 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' for Aardman Animations and Studio Canal. Shaun is the leader of a flock of sheep who live on Mossy Bottom Farm with the ever vigilant Bitzer the Sheep Dog, The Farmer and lots of other farmyard characters. His first appearance was in Wallace & Gromit's third short, the Academy Award Winning 'A CLOSE SHAVE' in 1995. 
A 'SHAUN THE SHEEP' television series was then developed by Richard Starzak, first airing in 2007. It has gone on to be one the most successful children's programmes ever created and last year was voted the Nation’s Best Loved BBC Children’s TV Character of all time in a Radio Times poll. 

With Shaun celebrating his 20th Birthday this year it seems an appropriate way to celebrate, bringing him to the big screen for the first time. 

'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' is released on February 6th across the UK and then ... THE WORLD!!

A bill board featuring 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' around the corner from voice actor Sean Connolly's daughter's school!

I was pleasantly surprised to see an enormous bill board poster of the film spring up literally around the corner from my daughter's school, in fact she saw it before I had. Of course seeing it there, made it all seem more real, very exciting!

More details to come ...

Sean is spotted in Sherwood once again.

Most of the cast for the latest instalment of the 'HOOD' audio drama series - from left to right; Biller Miller, Damian Cooper, Sean Connolly, Peter Greenall, Sarah McKendrick, Lee Ingleby, Ian Brooker, Anthony Miles & Iain Meadows (writer and director)

Another fantastic few days in the studio playing Brother Tuck in the company of the good folk of Spiteful Puppet Entertainment recording the latest two adventures in the 'HOOD' series of audio dramas. The usual outlaws were all in attendance, with Ian Brooker joining the cast for the new episodes. News on release dates will come shortly.

Consecutive nominations for Spiteful Puppet for the 2015 BBC Audio Drama Awards for 'HOOD - THE SCRIBE OF SHERWOOD'.

Spiteful Puppet Entertainment have been short-listed for the second consecutive year for the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2015. Following on from last years 'HOOD - NOBLE SECRETS', their next adventure 'HOOD - THE SCRIBE OF SHERWOOD' will once again fight it out in the Best Online or Non-Broadcast Audio Drama category. Although I wasn't in the cast for this adventure, I really hope they scoop the award this time after coming so close last year. 

# STOP PRESS # Whilst we await for the decision, I am delighted to announce that we are all going back into the studio to record two brand new adventures next week!! Strictly no tights allowed!!

Cover for 'HOOD - THE SCRIBE OF SHERWOOD' from Spiteful Puppet Entertainment.

This year’s winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held on Sunday 1st February 2015 in the Radio Theatre at BBC Broadcasting House in central London, hosted by Helen Boaden, Director of BBC Radio.