Paul Cullinan

In the mid 1990's, Tetra Television launched a new series entitled Rainbow Days, complete with a new look and a new actor as everyone's favourite bear, Bungle. We caught up with Paul Cullinan who has been the man in the bear suit since 1996 and set him the following questions...

How did you get involved in acting?

I always got involved in school plays and drama workshops. Then decided to go to drama school in Liverpool and moved to London in 1985 to audition for theatre companies and find an agent.

Who were/ are your major influences?

Musically John Lennon. Acting profession Robert DeNiro, Alan Rickman.

How did you get to work in the bear suit on Rainbow?

I was working for a childrens' theatre company when Tetra films,who produced Rainbow, wrote to the theatre company asking for actors to audition who had experience working with children. So I wrote and got an audition and as they say, the rest is history.

Does it get hot wearing the Bungle costume?

Yes, boiling and nobody wants to hug you at the end of a wrap!

What are the advantages/ disadvantages of dressing up as a six foot bear?

Advantages: being the most famous bear in Britain. Disadvantages: convincing people that I was in Rainbow 'cause they never saw my face and then I have to do my Bungle voice for them. Then they look at me as if they've just met God himself. It's very amusing.

Did you do any research on the character before taking on the role?

I watched the old videos of Rainbow.

We know you watched Rainbow when you were younger, what was it you enjoyed about the programme?

It was really good fun to watch.

What do you like most about working with the Rainbow team?

Everybody was really good fun to work with and I was just in awe of Ronnie and Craig as they are fantastic puppeteers.

.... and what do you like least?

When it ended. Although I am still in touch with Craig and we worked together at Nickelodeon. The last time I saw Ronnie was at Channel 5 for Night Fever.

What future do you see for Rainbow?

I would definitely like to see it back on TV. Too many cartoons, it would be nice to see some interactive programmes and real characters that children could relate to.

What is your proudest achievement?

Being involved in a cult childrens TV programme.

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

I have many ambitions and projects that I would like to achieve but in this business it is so very difficult. You have to be in the right place at the right time, 90% of it is luck, the other 10% is talent. Once your foot's in the door you meet people who know people who are in the know.

What are you working on now/ in the future?

I am in the process of setting up my own production company. I am also working for an entertainment corporate company, compering events for them.

What or who makes you laugh?

Life and Alan Partridge.

What do you do to unwind?

I try to spend as much time at home as I can with my family.

Just why does Bungle walk around naked all day, and then put on pj's at bed time? (Sorry, had to ask that one!!!)

Sorry - can't answer that one, even I used to ask myself that question!

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

None really. Your questions were fine and happy to answer them.