Andy Pandy is the eternally wide-eyed puppet star who has been wearing the same blue and white striped pyjamas for more than 50 years.
Since his first outing on BBC Watch With Mother in 1950, the puppet and his friends Looby Loo and Teddy have enchanted generations of children.
But never once has he uttered a word. Until now.
His makers have finally decided to grant him the gift of speech in a new play opening at London's Peacock Theatre next month.
After much soul searching and research among children who watch the show, BBC bosses have decided to use the voice of a female actor.
"Giving Andy Pandy a voice was a very difficult decision," said Craig Stanley, general manager for live entertainment at BBC Worldwide. "We talked to lots of children and they said 'he speaks like me'.
"Andy's voice has not broken, and he has very delicate movements."
The puppet's first words will be the epitome of charm and innocence - and nothing like the risquè chatter Tom Conti has alleged is featured in the current TV series.
Last week, the veteran actor claimed that his voiceover for the BBC's new colour version of the old black and white show is littered with double entendres and sexual innuendo.
He said the show had been nicknamed Randy Pandy, and pointed to scenes where the puppet blows on a wooden trumpet which is declared "rather hard".
But parents will be pleased to know that Andy's first words on stage will be: "Hello. My name is Andy Pandy. Have you come to play?"
The show, also featuring revived Fifties favourites Bill and Ben, runs at the Peacock Theatre from 21-23 February.
The BBC revived Andy Pandy after a 25-year break in 2002.
Read More
The updated series made by animation company Cosgrove Hall gave the characters their own houses and dispensed with the familiar wicker basket and featured new characters. Also gone were the strings holding up the puppets.
