MailOnline was informed today by the creator of Peppapig that his animated star would remain ‘apolitical’ despite Boris Johnson calling the character ‘pure genius’ in his bizarre and bumbling CBI speech after a day out at Peppa Pig World with his wife and son.
He also called the New Forest theme park ‘my kind of place’ and it has since emerged that his bodyguards queued up for the Johnsons but the PM did pay for his family’s £85 ticket after a series of controversial freebie holidays this year.
MailOnline spoke to Neville Astley today. He is one of the creators of Peppa Pig. Peppa doesn’t care about politics. She doesn’t know much about politics, except that of her family, primarily Grandpa Pigs, and Daddy Pig, who fight over a broken lawnmower.
“I am quite proud of the fact that he called us geniuses. That means I’m able to wear the badge “genius”, later on, down at the pub.
He said, “It was great that the Prime Minister gave us a mention. Now anyone who didn’t know what Peppa Pig is, will now. It’s wonderful that he liked Peppa PigWorld – it is great when people enjoy themselves there.
Young Wilf was snapped with the Tory leader on Sunday as he drove a bright-colored toy car. Boris, his new wife and their son were also pictured having fun on a water ride. Others who were there that day also admitted they did not recognize him.
George Bell was present with his family. He said that the PM’s security waited for them in a queue with seven ‘jotted around’ and spaced out wearing earpieces before the Johnsons arrived. MailOnline was told by another woman that a later Mr Johnson, who looked shabby and rumpled in the gift shop, was seen looking at toys and other games.
Bell stated: He was not even my first impression. His security waited for him, I believe. Although it seemed strange that a man wearing a suit was queuing up to ride with children, I understood the reasoning behind his actions. I then saw an earpiece, and I thought he was doing it to Boris. He took off immediately after the ride. Because I wanted to see him again, there was an exit at the back.
He continued, “I don’t know if it was something he really loved or if he just wanted a little rest.” However, he appeared to be an attractive man.
Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, photographed with Wilfred (one) at Peppa Pig World just before his speech to CBI
MailOnline spoke with Neville Astley about the creation of the show. He said that they don’t engage in politics. Peppa doesn’t care about politics. Peppa is not aware of politics outside her immediate family (mainly Grandpa Pigs and Daddy Pig) over a lawnmower that was broken or some other issue.
How three polytechnic graduates created Peppa Pig and its £1billion brand
hil Davies (Producer of Peppa Pig), Morwenna Banks (Actor & Voice of Mummy Pig), Peppa Pig, Harley Bird (Voice of Peppa Pig/Actress) and Neville Astley (Co-Creator of Peppa Pig) Peppa Pig ‘Festival of Fun’ in 2019
Peppa Pig, beloved by children pre-school age, is an animation studio Astley Baker Davies. It was founded by Phil Davies and Mark Baker. They are also the creators of television shows Holly’s Little Kingdom and The Big Knights.
Peppa, who was working on an episode for BBC TV, became annoyed by the BBC’s scheduling and took Peppa to Channel Five. Nick Jr is a children’s satellite channel. It first aired in 2004.
Mr Neville, Mark Baker and Phil Davies went from animation graduates at Middlesex Polytechnic in the 1980s to creating a global franchise worth £1billion. The trio shared £140 million when Entertainment One bought a 70 per cent stake in Astley Baker Davies, their production company.
The children’s programme has since been broadcast in 180 territories and in 2019 Entertainment One was acquired for £3.3billion by Hasbro, the powerhouse toymaker behind the Monopoly board game, Play-Doh, My Little Pony and Transformers.
The programme was an instant smash, making £1million in merchandise sales in Peppa’s first year, and in 2005 scooped a Bafta for Best Pre-School Animation and the Grand Prix for Best TV production at the Annecy Animation Festival.
Peppa’s second series was already sold to over 120 countries.
In 2010 Peppa became the UK’s top pre-school toy, with the character grossing more than £200 million in UK merchandise sales, double that of the previous year.
Peppa PigWorld at Paultons Park, Hampshire is expected to have more theme parks and merchandise. This already includes Play-Doh, pyjamas and playing cards, playsets and duvet covers as well soft toys, jewellery, and even soft toys.
Peppa’s multi-billion dollar fortune is largely derived from merchandising. Only five per cent of it comes from licensing the program for broadcast.
Peppa is a popular character, but it has also been controversial.
The family in her first series did not use seatbelts. And the heroine of this episode was accused for encouraging bad behavior by jumping into puddles and answering back to children. Australian television stations pulled an episode in which Peppa met a friendly spider because it was believed to encourage children towards deadly arachnids.
Yesterday, he said to the CBI that Peppa Pig’s cartoon character was a “pure genius”, despite it resembling an ‘Picasso hairdryer”. He then took aim at Whitehall, saying, “No civil servant could conceivably come up With Peppa.”
Mr Neville, Mark Baker and Phil Davies went from animation graduates at Middlesex Polytechnic in the 1980s to creating a global franchise worth £1billion. The trio shared £140 million when Entertainment One bought a 70 per cent stake in Astley Baker Davies, their production company.
The children’s programme has since been broadcast in 180 territories and in 2019 Entertainment One was acquired for £3.3billion by Hasbro, the powerhouse toymaker behind the Monopoly board game, Play-Doh, My Little Pony and Transformers.
Astley Baker Davies continues to produce the Peppapig shows. However, Hasbro appears to own the merchandising rights and makes millions of dollars from toys, games, and other merchandise.
Yesterday’s Prime Minister addressed the CBI, saying that “not enough” people were in Paultons Park in Hampshire. In a long address to business leaders, he said nothing but ‘forgive us’ and lost his place in the key speech.
Downing Street declined to comment on the trip but a spokesman for Peppa Pig World told MailOnline: ‘Mr Johnson and his family visited Paultons Park in a private capacity and were not gifted their admission tickets.’
After he described the trip of Mr Johnson to the amusement park in a chaotic speech to business leaders Monday morning, it has been brought into the limelight.
Farhadul Azhar Tipu (33) from Hertfordshire was at the Hampshire attraction along with his daughter of four years when they saw the Prime Minister, his wife Carrie, with their one-year old son Wilfred.
According to Mr Tipu, ‘We literally backed them on their ride’.
It was strange that not many people knew him… but he attracted a lot of attention.
“My daughter was not aware of his identity, and was happy to visit Peppa Pig world.”
Mr Tipu snapped Mr Johnson riding on a multicoloured bike, while Wilfred sat on his knee.
The politician said that he had met the Prime Minister, and asked how it was.
“There were civilly dressed security surrounding him but it made it easy for him to speak to me as his security personnels were friendly,” he said.
He was clearly enjoying being in the driving seat although Boris Johnson really should have had two hands on the wheel.
However, it was child’s play as Wilf was riding in the miniature car with him on Sunday at Peppapig World.
Carrie, the Prime Minister’s spouse was also present on this trip. This may have inspired yesterday’s speech at the CBI. He hailed the cartoon character as well as his recent visit to New Forest.
Wilf the one was warmly wrapped in a red and blue padded jacket with dinosaur-embroidered trousers.
Johnson was dressed in blue jeans, a shirt and a navy blazer jacket. He was topped with a green beanie cap.
The entire family enjoyed a Grampy Rabbit Sailing Club boat cruise.
A witness told The Sun by Johnson that he had made a joke about the slowness of his ride and seemed to be in good spirits.
After his visit with Carrie, his wife, and Wilf (pictured together), Mr Johnson praised the worldwide success of Peppapig, telling business leaders that the cartoon’s British creative genius was an example of British innovation.
Johnsons enjoyed a family water ride in the New Forest’s popular theme park.
Downing Street is still yet to say who paid for the trip – but the family ticket will have cost more than £100 for the three of them
Boris referenced the Peppa PigWorld visit during a speech the day after. But it was a mistake and he lost place
Boris Johnson (with his son Wilfred) at Peppapig World in New Forest, Sunday
Wilf (one) was covered in warm blue and red padded pants with dinosaur embroidered trousers as he played along with his father.
Boris and Wilf both race on the toy car in a group. Johnson used the sound of an engine revving to describe his speech.
George Bell (aged 30) was going on a day trip with his family to the amusement park. He spotted Boris, waiting to take him on the same ride.
Bell said that Mr Bell first noticed him as he was standing in front of me. Bell briefly spoke to him, saying “hi, how’re you?”
“Then I was on the water ride, and my carriage bumped into his. He commented that the ride was extremely slow.
In December, the PM and his spouse, whom he married in Westminster Cathedral earlier this year, will be expecting their second baby together.
Wilfred, their first child together was born April 2020. He has the same distinctive mop and blonde hairs as his dad.