| This article is about the children's strand of the RTÉ. You may be looking for the character from Thomas & Friends. |
The Den was the children's strand of Ireland's public broadcaster RTÉ. It was originally named Dempsey's Den between 1986 to 1990, before being rebranded in 1990. The first television series to air during the rebrand was the sister series of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Tugs.[1] Thomas did not air on the strand until 12 September 1996.
On 30 April 1999,[2] The Fat Controller from Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (portrayed by Simon Fisher-Becker) visited The Den, meeting presenter Damien McCaul and puppets Soky and Dustin the Turkey. During his visit, he is asked by Damien what can they call him, with The Fat Controller answering that he is quite happy to be called The Fat Controller as it is a term of endearment. Soky goes on to mention the events of The Sad Story of Henry, and incorrectly stated that Gordon was the one who did not want to leave the tunnel, when it was actually Henry. The Fat Controller continues by saying he bricked up Gordon in the tunnel. Dustin and goes on to say how him, Soky and Damien are huge fans of Thomas the Tank Engine, but "Thomas can sometimes be that little bit cheeky." Soky then asked him that he seems to like Mrs Kyndley quite a lot, with The Fat Controller going on to mention the events of Thomas' Christmas Party. Soky mentions to him that he has some diesel trains, The Fat Controller says that "the diesel trains do cause a little problem, "Devious" Diesel in particular." The Fat Controller even says to Dustin that he looks like Skarloey. Damien then tells the viewers you can see The Fat Controller at the RDS in Dublin this weekend (1 and 2 May 1999). Near the end, Dustin says he has a Thomas the Tank Engine duvet, and Soky says he has a Thomas the Tank Engine scarf. Damien asks The Fat Controller if he would like to stay and watch Tom & Jerry Kids, which he does. (YouTube)
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References[]
External Links[]
- The Den (TV programme) on Wikipedia
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