ZZZap was a children’s TV show than ran for ten series between 1993 and 2001, entertaining a generation of kids.
It was a sketch show that saw a giant, 18ft comic book be brought to life that created iconic characters including Daisy Dares You and the hands.
The short but exciting episodes saw viewers wait with baited breath to find out what was behind each window of the magazine.
It was praised for being an ultra creative offering that had no dialogue, but relied only on music and sound effects to tell each story.
The series was brought to life by a fantastic cast of actors, artists and comedians – including Art Attack star Neil Buchanan – who worked on the show for nearly a decade – but where are they now?
Neil Buchanan as Smarty Arty
Neil Buchanan is perhaps better known for his work as the host of Art Attack, but proved to be a huge asset to ZZZap too.
He played comic French artist Smarty Arty who appeared regularly in the show from series one to series seven,
Smarty Arty would make large pictures out of his magic pen, which would bring things to life.
Neil had a successful career in Children’s television and ended up winning two BAFTAs for his work on Art Attack, but quit showbiz for good after a short lived stint in heavy metal band Marseille.
He’s still working as an artist and a photographer, although he has largely disappeared from the public eye.
However, he did make a brief appearance on Celebrity Juice in 2012, when he explained that his personal creative projects had had to take a backseat while he was a TV personality.
Richard Waites as Cuthbert Lily
Richard Waites was the only series star to appear in all 131 episodes of the series.
He played Cuthbert Lily, a well meaning but hapless man whose sketches always involved a fair deal of slapstick comedy.
After the show wrapped, Richard continued acting in various children’s projects, including Bob The Builder and saturday morning show No.73.
He ventured into more adult work, such as a 2014 short film titled Coffee Sex You, then faded from the limelight entirely.
Deborah McCallum as Daisy Dares You
Deborah McCallum played the iconic Daisy Dares You character, and became well known for her high pigtails and tartan braces.
She left the show in 1999, and, despite picking up a few bit parts before the show, never worked in showbusiness again.
It was reported at the time she had chosen to leave to start a family, but the star’s current whereabouts are unknown.
Sophie Aldred as Minnie the Mini Magician
Sophie Aldred was already a pretty big name in the biz when she joined ZZZap, having starred in Doctor Who as the seventh doctor’s companion, Ace.
Sophie joined the cast as a replacement for Smarty Arty and donned a curly bright orange wig and L plates for the gig.
After the show wrapped, Sophie continued as a prolific voiceover artists for the likes of Bob The Builder, Dennis and Gnasher and Sergeant Stripes.
She even wrote a book about her time on Doctor Who, titled Ace: The Inside Story of the End of an Era.
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