Basil Brush sweeps back on digital

BASIL Brush is returning to television screens after a break of nearly 20 years. The fox puppet, who attracted audiences of 13m in his 1960s heyday, will appear in a run of 26 half-hour sitcoms on the BBC's new digital channel CBBC, aimed at six to 13-year-olds.

Entertainment Rights, which owns Basil as well as the Magic Roundabout and Postman Pat, said the shows 'will consist of a self-contained storyline with an unconventional mix of comedy, drama and entertainment, allowing for occasional cameos'.

Although the programmes will run first on digital television, they will be broadcast on BBC1 a couple of weeks later. The series will start in the autumn, backed by a merchandising and publishing programme with a licensing deal already signed with toys and games maker Hasbro.

Entertainment Rights also said its Christmas video Barbie in the Nutcracker clocked up 3m sales worldwide.