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Spencer Jones

Prop comic Spencer Jones was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2019 and 2017. His stage alter-ego is called Herbert Clunkerdunk (originally just The Herbert) and has made a series of BBC shorts under that name. He also stars in the BBC One psitcom Mister Winner and had a recurring role in Ben Elton's Shakespearean sitcom, Upstart Crow. Early in his career he was runner-up in the NATY new act competition in 2015.

Judi Love and Julian Barratt star in new animated CBBC series

Super Happy Magic Forest also features Greg McHugh and Spencer Jones

Judi Love and Julian Barratt are to voice a new CBBC animated series Super Happy Magic Forest.

Fellow comics Greg McHugh and Spencer Jones are also in the cast of the show based on the books of the same name by Matty Long

Barratt plays Hoofius the faun and self-proclaimed leader of the group of five heroes who love ‘questing, picnics and frolicking’, while Love voices Blossom the unicorn, the heart of the group.

McHugh is Herbert, the wise old gnome, and Jones is Trevor, awise cracking mushroom.

The quintet is completed by Twinkle the Fairy, voiced by Jules de Jongh, while Oliver Chris voices Mr Friendlyface, leader of the Council of Happiness, who sends the team on quests.

A total of 52 11-minute episodes have been made, which will air on CBBC and BBC iPlayer from Monday 7 October.

Barratt said Hoofius’ is definitely more upbeat and less introspective than some of the other characters I’ve played, who are often weighed down by existential dread and corduroy’.

He added: ‘I think kids are going to love the buoyant surreal chaos of it all. Anything can happen. There’s magic, weird creatures, strange lands, and a lot of humour. It’s bright, it’s colourful, and while it doesn’t take itself too seriously it manages to smuggle in some good lessons about team work and sharing.’

Love said that recording her role was not what she was used to.

She said: ‘I wasn’t sure what to expect, because you’re sat in a booth on your own with the production team watching you from the outside which is obviously very different to having an audience there. When you do stand-up you have an audience who directly interact with you, you can feel the energy in the room.

‘But it was amazing to say a particular line and see the way the producers reacted through the screen! It’s scary to do something out of your comfort zone sometimes, but seeing their reaction when I was getting into the character of Blossom was super reassuring. When I was shown the first clip of the animation with my voice I was like oh my goodness – it’s alive! I am Blossom!’

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Published: 19 Sep 2024