Bob the Builder is known as the handyman that can fix anything – but he himself has been fixed up, with CGI that is.
After 16 years, the animated character is making a comeback on our TV screens with a new look and voice.
The new CG-animated series – which will be delivered in late 2015 – will see Bob the Builder continuing to bring the world of construction to life for kids with his catchphrase, ‘Can we fix it, yes we can!’
Actor Lee Ingleby, who is starring in BBC One's Our Zoo, has taken over from Neil Morrissey, who played the handyman from its launch in 1998.
Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggatt will now play Bob's business partner Wendy and Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison will voice the digger Scoop.
Blake said, 'I'm really excited to be a part of such a long running successful series. I'm even more excited to be involved in a project that my daughter can watch before she's 30. Working on an animation is completely new to me, but as a method actor I know only one way to prepare for a role, so I've painted myself yellow and am now offering to dig up anything you may need!'
Joanne – who you'll recognise from her roles as Anna in BBC period drama Downton Abbey and as Zoe Tattersall in ITV1 soap Coronation Street – said she couldn’t resist the role. She added: ‘My Godchildren are huge fans of the show so I'm looking forward to seeing their reactions when the new series airs.’
The CGI revamp follows similarly updated versions of Thomas the Tank Engine, Postman Pat and Fireman Sam and has been met with a mixed reaction on social media, with some claiming that the new-look Bob looks nothing like the original.
Do you like the new-look Bob? Answer yes or no below!