Stunt mouse to make debut in Welsh language television

Tipper, a talented brown rodent that has appeared in a Netflix show and EastEnders, will feature in a key scene in one of the episodes of the award-winning sitcom Rybish, on S4C.

The series is produced by Caernarfon-based Cwmni Da, and filming took place at a recycling centre in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The first episode will be broadcast at 9pm on Friday, 1 April.

The plotline involving Tipper is being kept under wraps but it is known that she will be seen in the Y Caban (cabin) where the six members of staff take a break from the daily grind of their working lives.

The cast of Rybish: (L/R) Rhodri Trefor (Nigel), Mair Tomos Ifans (Val),Betsan Ceiriog (Bobbi), Sion Pritchard (Clive), Dyfed Thomas (Gwilym) and Carys Gwilym (Lorraine)

Producer and BAFTA Cymru award-nominated writer Barry Jones, said: "We wanted a real mouse so that it appeared authentic and Tipper proved to be just what was wanted.

“It's not a big part but it's still a very important part of the episode."

Eagle-eyed animal lovers may recognise Tipper from one of her previous appearances on the BBC's Eastenders.

Animal trainer Mark Amey said Tipper was seen scurrying about the London Underground station on the EastEnders set last year.

And he revealed Tipper has returned to Walford for another, yet to be broadcast, episode of the long running soap opera.

Tipper, whose was named by Mr Amey because of a little white tip on her body, appeared alongside her mother in the hit Netflix show, Tiny Creatures, which was awarded two prestigious Emmy Awards for Outstanding Travel, Adventure and Nature Programme and Outstanding Cinematography at a ceremony in Los Angeles last summer.

Mr Amey said Tipper is from a long line of acting mice: "They live for about a year and a half and Tipper's about ready for a well-earned retirement and possibly have a family of her own".

The first series of Rybish was filmed during the first Covid-19 lockdown and Cwmni Da built their own recycling centre at an old landfill site at Carmel, near Caernarfon.

According to Mr Jones, the initial plan was to film the series at a real recycling centre.

He said: "Lockdown put an end to that idea and we built our own centre and the cast and crew created their own bubble living an old pub during the filming.

"We were delighted when Gwynedd Council said we could use the centre at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

“It is normally open three days a week and we were able to use it when it was closed.

"The centre staff, like the rest of the town, were very welcoming and helped us no end.”

Furthermore, people from the community were recruited as extras who bring their unwanted items to the centre and interact with the actors.