Morph, Miffy and Where’s Wally land in London

A series of giant sculptures and artworks of iconic children’s characters pop-up across London in new exhibition to mark the launch of new Sky Kids TV channel

Top 20 favourite British TV children's characters of all time revealed

• Larger-than-life sculptures and artwork of children’s TV characters Morph, Miffy and Where’s Wally have appeared overnight in London as part of a new experience for half term
• The giant artworks have been installed by Sky Kids, to mark the brand-new 24-hour TV channel launched for children under the age of 7
• An oversized life-like Morph popped up at Potters Fields, an illuminated 3m tall Miffy landed in Observation Point, and a gigantic Where’s Wally puzzle was revealed in Shoreditch
• The Sky Kids TV channel will house brand-new Sky Original programmes throughout the year featuring narrations from Daisy Haggard, Marcus Bentley, Jodie Whittaker and more, alongside familiar favourites such as Miffy’s Adventures Big and Small, Where’s Wally and The Epic Adventures of Morph

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Iconic children’s TV characters Morph, Miffy and Where’s Wally have been reimagined as giant artworks as part of a new family-friendly pop-up experience in London.

A three-metre-high statue of the timeless TV character Morph appeared over night at Potters Fields, next to Tower Bridge. An illuminated Miffy sculpture was spotted in Observation Point on Southbank, and a gigantic Where’s Wally puzzle was uncovered in Shoreditch.

The characters have been installed to celebrate the launch of a new Sky Kids TV channel which brings 24-hour ad-free programming, curated to follow the rhythm of a child’s day.

Miffy’s Adventures Big and Small, Where’s Wally and The Epic Adventures of Morph are set to air on the new channel from today, alongside a variety of brand-new Sky Original kids programmes that tackle themes such as climate change, emotional resilience, and mindfulness.

The pop-up experience follows new research by Sky Kids which reveals the nation’s favourite British TV children’s characters of all time.

The poll of 2,000 Brits revealed Sky Original character Morph claimed the bronze medal with 19% of the votes, with much-loved puppet duo, Sooty and Sweep, topping the list with 28% of the votes, and Basil Brush not far behind in second place (20%).

The nation’s top 20 favourite British children's characters of all time:

1. Sooty and Sweep
2. Basil Brush
3. Morph
4. Winnie the Pooh
5. Paddington Bear
6. The Wombles
7. Bagpuss
8. Wallace and Gromit
9. The Clangers
10. Thomas the Tank Engine
11. Postman Pat
12. Teletubbies
13. Bob the Builder
14. Tweenies
15. Brum
16. Fireman Sam
17. Mr Blobby
18. Where’s Wally
19. Horrid Henry
20. Peppa Pig

The Sky Kids list contains much-loved characters both past and present, with some that have continued to gain popularity over the years, including Fireman Sam, Wallace and Gromit, and symbol of the Platinum Jubilee, Paddington Bear.

When thinking about their favourite TV characters from their childhood such as Morph and The Clangers, nearly half of those polled (48%) described them as ‘timeless’, and 46% said they were ‘iconic’. Research also uncovered that 35% of respondents attributed childhood shows as helping them form routines from a young age.

It seems the characters are still grabbing the attention of many today, with 45% of parents admitting to sticking an episode or two on when they need a dose of nostalgia.

For over half (55%), they fell in love with these characters as they made them laugh, and 46% said they were always there to boost their mood. These characters also helped form friendships for 44% – while many owned t-shirts (39%), action figures (38%) and lunchboxes (37%) as kids.

Half of those surveyed (50%) claim the shows they adored as a child could teach the current crop of youngsters’ important lessons. In fact, of those polled who have kids, 57% have shown their little one’s episodes with their own favourite characters – and 54% said their children enjoyed it.

Over two thirds (68%) of parents surveyed also admit to enjoying the TV shows that their children currently watch.

Speaking about the official launch of Sky Kids linear TV channel, Lucy Murphy, Director of Kids Content at Sky, said:

“The new Sky Kids TV channel is finally here with a breadth of new Sky Originals and familiar favourites set to air. Alongside premium entertainment, the new channel will have shows that span important themes including emotional resilience, positive well-being, saving the planet and so much more, providing children and families alike with content that both inspires and entertains at all times of the day."

"What better way to mark the occasion than by bringing some of Sky Kids’ most iconic characters to life, because we know when you fall in love with a show when you’re little, it quickly becomes part of everyday family life. The Sky Kids channel will also introduce new faces that will soon be loved just as much!”

Known originally for his short one-minute segments during Take Hart with Tony Hart in the 70s, Morph captured the love of the nation, remaining in the top three favourite characters today. Due to his ongoing popularity, new episodes and series have been created over the years, including Sky Original spinoff show, The Very Small Creatures, and Morph’s latest Sky Original escapades The Epic Adventures of Morph (13 February).

Peter Lord, co-founder of the Academy Award®-winning Aardman studios and co-creator of Morph, said:

“It’s put a huge smile on my face seeing Morph rank so highly on this list of the nation’s favourite TV characters – it's fantastic that his mischievous-self is loved today just as much as when I created him.

“Morph was there when today’s parents were kids, and he’ll be there for future generations in the same way. I can’t wait to see him even more on Sky Kids screens for families to enjoy together!”

The Sky Kids package is currently home to over 10,000 episodes on demand and a variety of linear partner channels such as Nick Jr., Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. And from today, a brand new 24-hour ad free channel will launch inspiring children and families alike, available at no extra cost for existing Sky Kids customers and NOW Entertainment members.

New Sky Original shows airing on the channel are set to have narrations from a star-studded line-up including Daisy Haggard (Breeders, Back To Life) in My Friend Misty (April 2023), executive-produced by Fearne Cotton, Marcus Bentley (Big Brother) in Mittens and Pants (February 2023) and Jodie Whitaker (Doctor Who) in Ready, Eddie, Go! (August 2023). The new Sky Original stories will cover topics including climate change, mindfulness and emotional resilience and will join franchise favourites such as Clifford and Trolls: TrollsTopia on the channel.

Sky customers can upgrade to the Sky Kids package for just £6 a month and members of the streaming service NOW can also access the new channel as part of its £9.99 Entertainment Membership.

For more information, please contact:

Rosie.Cope@taylorherring.com / 07415 337745

Naomi.Penn@taylorherring.com / 07961 420769

Eve.Williams@sky.com / 07935 771 540

Notes to Editors

Find out more about how to sign up to the Sky Kids pack: https://www.sky.com/tv/kids

Read more about the upcoming Sky Kids’ upcoming TV line up here: https://www.skygroup.sky/skykids2023-line-up/home

Visit Morph at More London (February 13), see Miffy by Observation Point (February 13) and find Where’s Wally at Village Underground in Shoreditch all week (February 13-19).

About Sky Kids

• The Sky Kids package is currently home to over 10,000 episodes of award-winning kids’ content on demand and a variety of linear partner channels such as Nick Jr., Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon.
• A new Sky Kids linear channel (EPG 609 Sky) will be added to the package from 13 February 2023, available at no extra cost for existing Sky Kids customers, offering a raft of new Sky original content and franchise favourites to inspire and entertain kids (age 1-7). Baby TV, currently in slot EPG 609, will move to EPG 626.
• The scheduled programming has been built around blocks of the busy day to help parents juggle their children’s routines.
• All Sky Kids content is available to watch in safe, child-friendly environments. Through the Sky Kids app which offers content on demand, available to all Sky customers with the Sky Kids package, parents can create personalised age profiles for their children, alongside a ‘sleep mode’ to moderate screen time, while they watch content on the go.
• The Sky Kids package is available for just £6 (€8 IE) a month, for Sky customers with Sky’s signature pack. Members of streaming service NOW can also enjoy Sky Kids with its £9.99 (€11.99 IE) Entertainment Membership