Children of the 1980s, and many of their parents, have been eagerly anticipating the return of animated superhero Danger Mouse, more than two decades after the popular show ended. But can the new series, which returns to the screens on Monday, capture the hearts of a new generation?
In the original Danger Mouse, "the world's greatest" secret agent was cool and fearless, while his hapless sidekick - a bespectacled hamster called Penfold - got into scrapes and fretted by his side.
Produced by Manchester-based Cosgrove Hall Films, founded by Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall, the original show ran from 1981 to 1992.
"It was the best fun you could have had, but not only that, you got paid for it," said original writer Brian Trueman.
"Brian's [Cosgrove] insistence was that we do shows that are barmy. It wasn't undisciplined barmy but fairly sophisticated silliness."
The white rodent with his black eye patch and "DM" badge emblazoned on his chest had a charming, superior air. He tackled a new mystery and enemy, such as the notorious Duckula, in each show.
David Jason, better known as Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses, originally voiced Danger Mouse
"All our characters were flawed in some way and a bit weird," said Mr Trueman. "Danger Mouse didn't have any magical properties or super powers. He was really flesh and blood, with an exaggerated view of what he was capable of."
In the new "rebooted" series, Danger Mouse's eye patch will be replaced by an "i-patch" with multiple technological functions, while his headquarters will be kitted out with "state-of-the-art wizardry".
Producers Fremantle said the 21st Century version would see Danger Mouse face "mightier missions" and "voracious villains".
Alexander Armstrong, host of quiz show Pointless, was "ecstatic" that Danger Mouse was coming back
Actor David Jason originally voiced Danger Mouse during each 10-minute episode.
He has been replaced by Alexander Armstrong, host of quiz show Pointless, while Kevin Eldon will replace Terry Scott as his trusty sidekick Penfold.
Armstrong, 44, said: "As a lifelong fan of Danger Mouse, I was ecstatic just to know that the show was coming back.
"To be actually involved with the reboot and to be taking DM out to a whole new generation is about as close to a dream job as you could wish for."
With sarcastic undertones and the promise of belly laughs the original show was an international success, becoming a big hit outside the UK including in the US, Australia and across Europe.
Mr Trueman said: "We never went in with a kind of written, highly complex, documentary definition of the show. We all flew the ship by the seat of our pants. We'd been doing this kind of thing for ages. It was instinctive."
The new series will initially run for 52 episodes on the CBBC channel
The new show will be broadcast on CBBC at 18:00 BST and aims to "win over a whole new generation of fans", running for 52 episodes.
