News from the actor & voice artist best known for voicing 10 characters in Aardman’s Oscar, Golden Globe & BAFTA nominated ‘Shaun the Sheep Movie’ also playing Hector the Llama in the 2015 Christmas Special INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARD WINNING ‘Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer’s Llamas’. He plays Ambridge Fire-Starter - Keith Horrobin in ‘The Archers’ and in the audio world of ‘Doctor Who’ he has played a Sontaran! He also voices EZRA in the CBeebies hit animation 'JoJo & Gran Gran'.
Well that went quickly! Seemed like only yesterday that the WINTER EPS of 'JoJo & Gran Gran' were announced!! Although it doesn't feel much like Spring at the moment here comes 11 ALL NEW SPRING EPS of the Award-Winning series.
Proud as punch (as ever) to be involved. Once again in these new episodes ... EZRA is back playing his DOUBLE BASS and helping 'JoJo & Gran Gran' when they visit the opticians in TODAY'S EPISODE unsurprisingly called 'It's Time to Visit the Opticians' ... Tune in at 5.35pm on CBeebies.
I'm delighted, as ever to announce the transmission of a new mini-season of 10 WINTER EPISODES for the Award-Winning animated series 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' ...
Again, beyond proud to be part of this landmark children's show ...
Series 2 Winter episodes of 'JoJo & Gran Gran' launch on CBeebies this coming Monday 16th January at 5.35pm! All 10 episodes will then also be available on iPlayer on the same day.
You might've noticed a jaunty looking EZRA with his grandson JAXON in the background on top of the snowy hilltop, you'll be seeing a fair bit of him in the coming weeks as he pops up in 3 EPISODES and crackers they all are too!! Look out for the following episodes:
It's Time to Play in the Snow
It's Time to Remember Grandad
It's Time for a Tea Party
I can't wait for you all to see all of the new episodes, as ever it'll be beautiful!
Credit where credit is due - all the voice actors, directors, producers, audio production, animators, script writers .. soooo many talented peeps involved. Especially the BBC CHILDREN'S PRODUCTION TEAM and A PRODUCTIONS ...
And the GOOD NEWS keeps on coming .... the enormous success of 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' has resulted in it scooping yet another well deserved accolade ... This time it's the ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY'S - WEST OF ENGLAND AWARD 2022 in the CHILDREN'S CATEGORY! A rather splendid thing it is too!!
CONGRATULATIONS to everybody involved in the show .. all the voice actors, directors, producers, audio production, animators, script writers .. soooo many peeps involved. Especially the BBC CHILDREN'S PRODUCTION TEAM and A PRODUCTIONS ...
You won't have to wait too long for more BRAND NEW AUTUMN EPISODES - STAY TUNED!!!
Delighted to share the news that a lovely Short Animation a lent my vocal chords to, 'THE BELTIES' produced by SCRIPT SIRENS,has been selected for two prestigious events to be held in the region ...
Firstly this coming weekend 'The Belties' (animated by MORGANE BILLAULT, with music from KATIE ELLWOOD) will be shown at Warwick Arts Centre in partnership with the BFI NETWORK. This screening of short films will showcase talent and stories from across the region, with a focus on those based in Coventry and Warwickshire. As well as 'The Belties', two other films have also been selected from the 'SPECTRUM' Animation Anthology created by SCRIPT SIRENS (for more details click here) .. 'SOMETHING DIFFERENT' and 'UNHOME' - great news for all three animated films. Screenings commence at 5pm on SATURDAY 8th OCTOBER .. Tickets can be booked here ...
'The Belties' (written and co-voiced by LOUISE OSBOURNE also featuring the voice of Maeve O'Reilly) is a perfectly formed TWO MINUTE ANIMATION
about a kind-hearted Irish farmer, JACK, who is tasked with sending his beloved
cows to slaughter, he resorts to hiding his herd instead, in increasingly
ridiculous ways. I voice Jack and two of his 'Belties' ... Barry and the rather
nervous Reggie, all great fun!! Producers for 'The Belties' were ALEXANDRA TAYLOR and ANNABEL BRIGHTLING with SCARLETT KEFFORD executive producing.
More great news for the 'Spectrum' Project (a series of 8 standalone animated shorts around the broad theme of ‘spectrum’) is that three of it's films (including 'The Belties') have also been selected for this years BIRMINGHAM FILM FESTIVAL.
'The Belties' will be screening on SUNDAY 6TH NOVEMBER at 2pm
'ZX' will be screening on SUNDAY 6TH NOVEMBER at 2pm
'Dance' will be screening on MONDAY 7TH NOVEMBER at 8pm
Tickets are free but they recommend reserving via the link below.
All screenings will be held at MILLENNIUM POINT, CURZON STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B4 7XG ...
As well as the confirmed screenings for this year's festival, all three films have also been nominated in the BEST MICRO SHORT FILM category. Fingers crossed for all three animated films at the GALA AWARDS CEREMONY on SATURDAY 12th NOVEMBER 2022.
SUMMER IS HERE! That can only mean one thing ... Yes, it's BRAND NEW EPISODES of the Award Winning CBeebies animated series 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' ... Look who's turning up in those brown brogues again - yep it's EZRA!!
All the episodes of SERIES 2 - SUMMER will be aired on CBEEBIES (see below) but if you really can't wait, you can hit the BBC's iPLAYER and stream all 10 EPISODES right now here!
EZRA pops up in the episode called 'It's Time to Make Ice Lollies' which is the final episode of this batch of new episodes. ENJOY ... as if you wouldn't - it's a glorious series!!
I've just finished a rather fun exploration of all the ANIMALS I've either VOICED or ACTED over the years ... The rate goes up by the month but I stopped at 86 just for the purposes of having a number to roll with!!!! For the last 10 WEEKS - EVERY SATURDAY WITHOUT FAIL! I've been posting on my socials different examples ...
A little more detail on the run down of 'WHO & WHAT I'VE PLAYED' from the ANIMAL KINGDOM .. here goes!
My very first one was playing the Cheshire Cat in 'Alice In Wonderland' (see above) at the Civic Theatre in Barnsley, the job that got me my Equity card - all the way back in 1989 ...
A couple of years later in 1991 - I played The
Narrator ‘Dolphin’ in ‘Frankie’s Monster’ in the West End at the Arts/Unicorn Theatre ...
Nana the ‘Dog' in ‘Peter Pan’ at Midlands Arts Centre in 1994 ...
Knot
the ‘Dragon’ in ‘Good King Wenceslas’ at Warwick Arts Centre in 1997 ...
AUDIO:
Silver the ‘Rabbit’ in ‘Watership Down’ for BBC Radio 4 in 2002 ...
Mock ‘Turtle’ / Salford ‘Cat’ in ‘Iris Wildthyme – Land of Wonder’ for Big Finish Productions in 2008 ...
MANY ‘Prairie Dogs’ in ‘Little Prairie Dogs’ (10-part series) for CBeebies Television in 2010 ...
Hector the ‘Llama’ in ‘Shaun the Sheep – The Farmer’s Llamas’ for Aardman Animations (2015)
ALL SUCH FANTASTIC FUN - IT'S BEEN A BLAST - LONG MAY IT CONTINUE!!!
Yesterday saw the 20th ANNIVERSARY of the BBC's Children's Channels CBEEBIES and CBBC ... Doesn't the time fly! Although I've never worked for any of CBBC's programmes, however CBEEBIES is another matter ...
Having started my working relationship with CBeebies all the way back in 2004 reading 24 'Horrid Henry' stories (60 characters) for CBeebies Radio, then all 12 episodes of CBeebies Radio's very first comedy series 'St. Berks' playing eccentric teacher Mr North and a myriad of other school-based characters. Fast forward to 2007 and I had the great pleasure of reading 8 Classic Children's Stories where I showed off with over 50 characters! In 2008 I performed over a dozen characters in 'Big Cook Little Cooks' final season of their wacky radio show.
A couple of years later (2010) and my first involvement with a CBEEBIES TV show - when I voiced ALL MALE VOICES in the 10 part fantastic natural history based show 'Little Prairie Dogs' then quite the hiatus until 2020 and guess what comes along ..? I was more than delighted to be offered the ONGOING role of EZRA in the award-winning ANIMATED SERIES 'JoJo & Gran Gran', many more episodes to come in 2022 ... can't wait!!
So Happy 20th Anniversary/Birthday to CBEEBIES and CBBC, long may they both continue ...
As well as recording another couple of episodes of the CBEEBIES hit animated series 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' either side of the New Year, I was delighted to see a CBEEBIES magazine special had been produced. I was even more delighted when I opened it up that not only was EZRA featured as a character in the centre-spread poster image but he had also been made into a STICKER!
Surely this must be the HIGHLIGHT of my career - to be made into a STICKER!! This makes me very happy!!
I'll keep you updated when the NEW SERIES starts airing, it's gonna be great!!
'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' has won it's first award, for Best Pre-School Programmeat this years BROADCAST AWARDS held virtually on THURSDAY 27th MAY and announced by CLAUDIA WILKELMAN ... so proud to be a small part of this wonderful series!
Under stiff competition from the other brilliant nominees:
Let’s Go For A Walk: Wind Sounds and Sandcastles Walk
Hello Halo Kids for CBeebies/BBC iPlayer
Molly and Mack: The Best Christmas Ever
BBC Children’s In House Productions for CBeebies/BBC iPlayer
The Adventures of Paddington
Crescent Productions / Blue Zoo / Superprod for Nick JR
The Snail and the Whale
Magic Light Pictures for BBC One
Waffle The Wonder Dog: Waffle is a Listening Dog
Darrall Macqueen for CBeebies & CBeebies iPlayer
'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' was victorious on the night! CONGRATULATIONS to the whole team behind this very special series. Looking forward to Series 2 & 3 ...
I bring you some warm and cosy 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' related news ... TOMORROW SATURDAY 5th DECEMBER @ 8.40am on the CBEEBIES CHANNEL comes the CHRISTMAS SPECIAL from the ENORMOUSLY POPULAR HIT SHOW - featuring your truly as EZRA (well I say 'featuring' ... he's there when it matters!). If you've been watching the series you'll know that they will DO CHRISTMAS 'just right'!! If 8.30am is a little early for you on Saturday, never fear it'll be available on the BBC's iPLAYER after first transmission ... It'll be a real FESTIVE TREAT - DON'T MISS IT!!
As it happens TODAY FRIDAY 4th DECEMBER @ 5.25pm 'LIVE' on the CBEEBIES CHANNEL a lovely episode called 'IT'S TIME TO PLAY FOOTBALL' is on, check it out if you'd like!! EZRA is a pretty good dribbler!!
Take care everyone and a slightly early MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all!!
Really thrilled to let you all know that the NEW 'AUTUMN' EPISODES of the CBEEBIES hit animated series 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' starts next MONDAY the 19th OCTOBER 2020 at 5.25PM ... Episodes will be available to view on the BBC's iPLAYER after first transmission, in fact the FIRST TWO SEASONS; 'SPRING' and 'SUMMER' are also available to stream, also via the BBC iPLAYER.
My character EZRA (below) will feature in TWO MORE EPISODES during this season, firstly on NEXT THURSDAY 22nd OCTOBER in 'IT'S TIME TO PLAY FOOTBALL' -(JoJo meets Ezra’s grandson Jaxon and they join Jared, Cynthia, Ezra and Terrence for a football match in the park, with Gran Gran as the referee.) and a PRE-HALLOWEEN episode called 'IT'S TIME FOR A TREASURE HUNT' (guess what might happen here??!!) on FRIDAY 30th OCTOBER ...Incidentally this second episode was recorded in LOCKDOWN using my HOME STUDIO!!
Gran Gran is voiced by Cathy Tyson, JoJo by Taiya Samuel; Great Gran Gran by Llewella Gideon; Jared, who works in the local shop, by Ashley Joseph; and Gran Gran’s friendly neighbour Cynthia by Teresa Gallagher.
The series is created for Television by BBC Children’s In-House Production and is based on the 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' characters created by LAURA HENRY-ALLAIN ...
You might remember back in MARCH 'before' LOCKDOWN this wonderful CBEEBIES SERIES inspired by books written by LAURA HENRY-ALLAIN and created by BBC Childrens premiered on our screens. At the time my character EZRA didn't feature in this first batch of episodes ... I'm more than delighted to say that 'EZRA' makes his first appearance in the series NEXT TUESDAY 21st JULY @5.25pm on CBEEBIESand then after on the BBC iPlayer. The episode is entitled 'It's Time to Find a Dinosaur' and before anyone says it - I am NOT said 'dinosaur'!!! It's a LANDMARK SERIES as it's the first animation on CBEEBIES to focus on a black British family, concentrating on the special bond between children and their grandparents ... If you didn't catch SERIES ONE set in SPRING then it's still available on the iPLAYER - IT'S REALLY BEAUTIFLLY ANIMATED & ALL THEVOICE ACTING (Gran Gran is voiced by Cathy Tyson, JoJo by Taiya Samuel; Great Gran Gran by Llewella Gideon; Jared, who works in the local shop, by Ashley Joseph; and Gran Gran’s friendly neighbour Cynthia by Teresa Gallagher) is SECOND TO NONE!! Of course it also features the obligatory CATCHY THEME TUNE!!
Looking forward to later in the year,EZRA appears in a couple more episodes in the AUTUMN BATCH and then the CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, I'll keep everyone updated on those nearer the time. It was great fun recording EZRA for the series, really can't wait to officially join the cast and see his FIRST EPISODE on TUES 20th JULY and of course the rest of the series too!
'JoJo & Gran Gran'starts on CBeebies on Monday 16th March 2020 ...
I am over the moon to announce my involvement in the BRAND NEW ANIMATED SERIES from CBEEBIES - 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' which will starts airing TODAY - MONDAY 16th MARCH at 5.30pm-5.40pm on the CBEEBIES TV CHANNEL and streaming on the BBC iPLAYER ...
Courtesy of the BBC MEDIA CENTRE; "JoJo & Gran Gran is based on characters created by LAURA HENRY-ALLAIN and the look of the series was defined by award-winning
illustrator LEO ESPINOSA. Within each animated episode, there is a live action moment
which features children talking about the themes covered." (continued below ...)
Gran Gran is voiced by Cathy Tyson, JoJo by Taiya Samuel;
Great Gran Gran by Llewella Gideon; Jared, who works in the local shop, by
Ashley Joseph; and Gran Gran’s friendly neighbour Cynthia by Teresa Gallagher oh ... and I play EZRA (a friend of Gran Gran's)! - however I'm afraid you'll have to wait until the SUMMER to hear my dulcet tones!! Watch the series anyway - it's going be REALLY SPECIAL!!
Here's an overview of the first 11 EPISODES of 44 set against the background of SPRING ...
As we go through the year, the next 11 episodes will be aired in the SUMMER, followed by the another 11 episodes in the AUTUMN and the final 11 in the WINTER .. you might have guessed one of the themes with the series, yes IT'S THE SEASONS!!
A little more about the series again from the BBC's MEDIA CENTRE; "They live close by to one another in a bustling London
neighbourhood and Gran Gran always has something planned to do when JoJo comes
to visit.
Throughout the series, the stories are inspired by the
passing of time, covering topics such as life cycles, the passing of the
seasons, growth or the sequencing involved in activities like baking a cake or
catching a bus.
JoJo adores her grandma and the time they spend together.
Gran Gran is very proud of her Saint Lucian heritage and is always happy when
she has an opportunity to teach JoJo about the island’s culture."
Voice Actor SEAN CONNOLLY celebrates as Aardman's 'SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FARMER'S LLAMAS' gets a CHRISTMAS DAY REPEAT ...
Great NEWES! AARDMAN ANIMATION'S 'SHAUN THE SHEEP' Christmas Special'THE FARMER'S LLAMAS' is to receive a second outing this Christmas.
Following on from last years smash screening on Boxing Day, I am delighted and more than a bit chuffed to announce that this year the half hour special gets the CHRISTMAS DAY slot on BBC 1 at 1.20PM just before the traditional 'TOP OF THE POPS' .. A wonderful time for all the family to enjoy once again the Lllama Drama centering on (below - from left to right) Fernando, Hector (played by yours truly) and Raul.
There is also another opportunity to see 'THE FARMER'S LLAMA'S' later on CHRISTMAS DAY at 5.40PM on CBBC ...
If you didn't get to see it last year then make sure you tune in on CHRISTMAS DAY. As I said last year ...
I am delighted to report that 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' won the Best Long Form Animation Award last night at the BRITISH ANIMATION AWARDS held at the BFI in London.
Here's the list of main winners:
Best long-form animation – 'Shaun The Sheep: The Movie'
Best voice – Martin Freeman as 'Stick Man'
Best children's series and children's choice award – 'The Amazing World Of Gumball: The Shell'
Best pre-school series – 'Lily's Driftwood Bay: Goodbye'
Best music video – James: 'Moving On'
All the team at Aardman Animations truly deserve this award for all their stunning work in bringing Shaun to the BIG SCREEN. Congratulations to everyone involved ...
The rather appropriately named biennial BAA (British Animation Awards) are held tonight at London's BFI on the Southbank.
'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE' (Dirs: Richard Starzak & Mark Burton - Produced by Aardman Animations for Studio Canal.) is pitched against 'STICK MAN' (Dirs: Jeroen Jaspaert & Daniel Snaddon - Produced by Magic Light Pictures) and 'CHILDREN OF THE HOLOCAUST'(Dir: Zane Whittingham - Produced by Fettle Animation for BBC Learning).
BAA Director, Jayne Pilling says: “It’s 20 years since the British Animation Awards began and this is the first awards ceremony to take place since the industry reaped the benefit of the changes to the tax-break arrangements. With the animation industry in rude health, there has never been a better time to celebrate this wonderful, thriving, creative force and we hope to make this the best awards ceremony yet.”
Let's hope 'Team Shaun' can put away the disappointment from the Oscars, Golden Globes and the BAFTA's and come away with this prestigious award tonight. Previous winners include the likes of Tim Burton, Shaun's creator Nick Park, Simon’s Cat creator Simon Tofield, Harry Potter and the Gorillaz.
