New children's television show filmed in Northamptonshire launches on Youtube

Mike and Janet Roberts are behind ‘Chico Chugg’ which is filmed in the county and is the first children’s series from production company, Chugg Productions Ltd.

All the music and the voice of Chico is performed by Mike Roberts, who lives in Northamptonshire, from the hit 1980s band King. The group had a string of successful albums and singles, including their biggest hit ‘Love and Pride’.

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”.

The changing face of television output is seeing many viewers turning to the internet to watch their favourite shows as the line between traditional TV and online continues to merge.

Chugg Productions has a foot in both camps having signed a deal with S4C in Wales and for the English version with TaDaKids.

The English version can now be seen online via the TaDaKids YouTube channel.

Anita Ramdharry is a former BBC TV reporter and is the Producer of ‘Chico Chugg’.

Anita said: “A lot of work has gone into producing a quality live action series. 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.”

Chico Chugg is an existing series of books on which the TV series is based. Chico lives on a narrowboat with his family in Crick.

They’re written by Janet Roberts who is also a writer and creative director at Chugg Productions. The brand new book coming out at the same time as the TV series is called ‘Chico Chugg moves to Yelvertoft’.

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,” she added.