Who were/ are your major influences?

Jim Henson & Frank OZ.

How did you get to work with George on Rainbow?

I had just finished a very disappointing stint on Spitting Image, and I saw John Thirtle (creator of Button Moon) building what looked like the new George & Zippy. I quizzed him for more info, then called Paul Cole at Tetra for an audition. I got it!

Your version of George appears to be more "streetwise" than his previous incarnation, was this a conscious updating of the character?

I know. I could never be as George like as Roy was. It would have been unfair to just of copied him. So, I decided to include a bit of me, and also cater for the change in viewers expectations. The 70's were a very different time compared to the mid 90's. I didn't feel that today's audience would accept the same George that we did as kids, what with Nintendo this and Play Station that, and all the other techno stuff which seems to fill our screens. I had to find the perfect balance of the old and new. I think it worked, and I think the hiatus of 3 - 4 years kinda helped. I had to cater for the new kids more than the old ones like us!

How did you go about researching George?

Well, of course I had my memories of George , but I also watched a lot of old tapes that Tetra sent me. I spent an entire weekend just watching Rainbow!

Were you allowed to change things in the scripts? Was there anything which you were asked to do which you felt was not within the confines of the character?

The best thing about the new Rainbow was that it was, indeed very new. We were all in this together. If we had ideas or script changes, we were allowed to include them. A lot of stuff came from impro that we did in the rehearsals. If it was too far out, it never got in. We would also find new problems once we got to the set, so stuff would come about from that situation as well.

What did you like most about working on Rainbow?

I loved the fact that it was a great team, a great company to work with and every day was a laugh fest. Paul Cullinan (BUNGLE) is a hoot, as is Ronnie. We would just turn up and have a laugh. I know that it all sounds very "SHOWBIZZ" and all, but it really was like that. And the humour was always very crude!

.... and what did you like least?

Early morning drives from the South Coast to London in mid-winter!

Rainbow or Rainbow Days - which did you prefer?

Two completly different shows, from two different ages. I have never connected the two. The characters are roughly the same, but we have to remember that it is for the kids, not the adults who watched it years ago. I am sure that the TELETUBBIES will change over the next few years (should it be lucky enough to last as long as the original Rainbow!).

What does the future hold for Rainbow?

Watch this space! Who knows?

What is your proudest achievement?

Becoming a father. Can't be beaten!

Are there any ambitions/ projects you would like to achieve, or someone you particularly want to work with?

I would love to be able to do a really far out puppet movie where anything goes. As for the last part, I guess that I would just like to be able to continue working with talented people.

Is there a puppet you would have liked to have worked with and who would be in your puppet hall of fame?

I would loved to have worked with Jim Henson, but I never got the chance. I have done bits and bobs with Frank Oz on the "Muppet Christmas Carol" (we did the skating penguins with him). That was cool. Just to watch the way that he works is enough to make you realise that you are never as good as you think you are. He is the best.

What are you working on now/ in the future?

I am still at Nickelodeon (Bogey, Bert the Fish, Elvis, Billy Bob Roach & Bugsey. Other than that, I can't say, but there is a lot on at the moment! ....sshh!

What's Phibber the Toad up to these days?

Last I heard, he is writing a few scripts for his memoirs. He is also in a glass case in Noel Edmonds' office, alongside Waffle. Well, thats what I heard anyway.I loved that Toad, he should come back. BRING BACK THE TOAD!!!

What question should we have asked you, but didn't?

Have I lied to you at all in any of the answers I gave you. HA HA HA! What are this weeks six lottery numbers? What's my favourite movie? (The Appartment). Do you have any puppets at home? (NO WAY! It is after all, just a job. I like puppets, I just don't LOVE puppets!) That's like asking a policeman if he wears his uniform in the house.

Craig Crane, Thank You Very Much!!