Danger Mouse to return to TV – video

Danger Mouse, one of the BBC's most successful animated characters, is to return to CBBC two decades after the last episode was broadcast.

The new series will begin screening in 2015 and will feature the eye patch-wearing rodent spy and his trusty sidekick Penfold in 52 new episodes.

As befits an agent so clandestine that "even his codename has a codename", details of the new cartoon are shrouded in secrecy. It is not yet known whether the new show will be hand-drawn like the original series, or computer animated.

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The BBC also gave no indication as to whether Sir David Jason, who provided the original voice for Danger Mouse, would return for the new series.The company behind the reboot, Fremantle Media, said the new series would be familiar to old fans but would be "brought up-to-date for today's tech-savvy and content-hungry kids".

Danger Mouse's famous eye patch will be updated as an "i-patch" capable of performing multiple technological functions. His headquarters, a red post box, will also be kitted out with "state-of-the-art wizardry", the BBC says.

Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Danger Mouse was a hit well beyond his native UK, attracting fans in the US, Australia, France, Poland, Germany and Sweden.

Series co-creator Brian Cosgrove said: "When I helped to create Danger Mouse I had no idea the show would be such a huge success both in the UK and overseas. I am delighted that a whole new generation will be introduced to his daring deeds and thrilled to be part of this new 21st century series. I can’t wait to find out what he’s been up to for the last 23 years".

Watch the first ever episode of Danger Mouse here: