Roland Rat

"Yeah - ratfans!"

Even now, some 20 years on, I still can't quite place Roland's accent, but I'm going to plump for
Birmingham.  Despite the fact he was born under King's Cross Station (I'm surprised TV AM were allowed to get away with that!  A rat problem in a NAMED train station!  Shocking!)  And God, he wears a shellsuit!  But this we'll forgive for, in the words of Brian Connolly, "It's a puppet!"

Roland was brought on TV AM in 1983 in an effort to boost ratings, and didn't they just!  Quickly acquiring a spin-off series and a whole cast of side-kicks (Kevin the gerbil; Errol the Welsh Nationalist hamster; Glenis the...er...panda?) Roland soon developed a cult following as strong amongst harrassed parents and teenaged stoners as it was amongst its kiddy audience.

Living in the ratcave, Roland went on a whole series of adventures, including one to Hong Kong, and released numerous records.  But when he gives his catchphrase: "Yeah....ratfans!" ... well, he sounds a little bit like Chris Tarrant doesn't he.

Also worth noting are Roland's family: annoying younger brother 'Little Reggie', dad Freddy and mum Iris (who all appear to be mink dumbos)