Mark Kermode reviews 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE'; "Aardman just never let you down. I can feel my soul being scrubbed clean."

Mark Kermode: "Aardman just never let you down. I can feel my soul being scrubbed clean." 

"A movie that oozes good nature."

"The film does want to cuddle you quite a lot and I genuinely wanted to cuddle it back."

"It will make everyone in the audience feel like they're six years old."

Voice actor Sean Connolly reveals characters in Aardman and Studio Canal's 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE'.

Sean Connolly plays the Maitre D in 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE'.

I have enormous pleasure in announcing what roles I will be heard playing in the new 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE', which is RELEASED TODAY.

If you count up all the characters I've voiced, there are about ten, with two or three of them (including the Maître D above and below), whilst not being principle characters are featured throughout the film. 

Sean Connolly holding the model of the Maitre D from 'SHAUN THE SHEEP THE MOVIE'.

Two more fun characters I play in the film are both Hair Stylists (below) who work in the aptly named salon 'Barber Black Sheep'. Other roles I play include a Golfer, an Angry Panto Horse and a host of Hospital Characters ... fantastic fun!!

Sean Connolly holding the models of the Hair Stylists from 'SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE'.

It’s been suggested that it might have been a risk for Aardman to extend a seven minute programme to a full feature, well writers and directors Richard Starzak and Mark Burton have pulled it off with ease, the team at Aardman have made something very special. I can’t wait to see it again and catch the sight gags I missed on my first viewing. It’s definitely a film that will reward multiple viewings.

"AND THE WINNERS ARE ... Spiteful Puppet for 'HOOD - THE SCRIBE OF SHERWOOD'" - 2015 BBC Audio Drama Awards.

Spiteful Puppet were the winners of the Best Online or Non-Broadcast Award for their production 'HOOD - SCRIBE OF SHERWOOD'.

Massive congratulations to my friends and colleagues at Spiteful Puppet Entertainment for winning at last nights BBC Audio Drama Awards. The winners of this years awards were announced by actor and writer Lenny Henry at the ceremony in the Radio Theatre, BBC Broadcasting House. 

Announcing the winners last night at the BBC Audio Drama Awards was Lenny Henry alongside Rakie Ayola presenting the award to Iain Meadows.

Spiteful Puppet won the award for Best Online or Non-Broadcast production for 'HOOD - SCRIBE OF SHERWOOD'. It was their second consecutive nomination and this year they took the prize!

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!!