A FOUR-legged phenomenon is about to hit the big time as the star of a new children’s TV show – born and bred in Rugby.
Chico is the loveable Jack Russell who will star in Chico Chugg, a live-action adventure series based on a narrowboat.
His owners, Crick canal-dwellers Mike and Janet Roberts, are the brains behind the new series.
Janet has written a series of books based on Chico’s exploits, while Mike – who was a pop star in the 80s with the Coventry band King – has written and performed all the music for the series, and voices the titular canine.
The series will be shown free on YouTube channel TaDaKids, while a Welsh-language version called Nico Nog will air on Welsh national channel S4C.
Mike said: “We’ve had a great reaction to Chico Chugg.
“Children love the character and I’m pleased to say they’re already singing and dancing along to the songs.”
Janet said: “As a school teacher I was keen to make sure we have strong educational values in the series as well as making it fun.
“I’ve been touring schools, running literacy assemblies using Chico’s books and episodes from the TV series. They’ve got children really excited to watch and learn.”
Former BBC TV reporter Anita Ramdharry, who lives in Rugby, is producing the show through her company Chugg Productions.
She said she was delighted to get her first series on the air.
She said: “A lot of work has gone into producing a quality live action series. Much of our filming has been done on Warwickshire waterways, as we’re really keen to show off our local countryside on television.
“It really is working with children and animals! The actors are important to the stories, but it’s Chico and his animal friends that are the biggest stars.
“It’s all filmed from their perspectives. Viewers get to join in Chico’s many adventures from going on a mouse hunt to messing about in a recording studio.
“Plus if children watch carefully, they’ll be able to answer Chico’s quiz questions at the end. It’s fun and educational for children from pre?school age and upwards.”
The Welsh version of the programme, Nico Nog, starts on Easter Monday and will be shown weekly on S4C. The English version, Chico Chugg, can be viewed by going to links at www.chicochugg.com.
