Hacker T. Dog

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Hacker T. Dog
CBBC character
HackerTDog.jpg
Hacker is a border Terrier
First appearance5 January 2009
Created byCBBC
Portrayed byAndy Heath
(Series one of Scoop only, 2009)
Phil Fletcher (2009–present)
In-universe information
SpeciesDog
GenderMale
OccupationPresenter
NationalityBritish

Hacker T. Dog (born 27 October) is a dog puppet who appears on the CBBC television channel in the United Kingdom.[1] He is described as being a Border Terrier[2][3] who was born and lives in Wigan.[4][5] He is the half-brother of Dodge T. Dog and is the son of Mrs. T. Dog (his father is never mentioned or seen).

Development[]

Hacker was introduced as a character in the CBBC television programme Scoop, performed by Andy Heath. The character became popular, and began to appear as a weekday presenter at the CBBC office in May 2009, with the puppetry and voice now being performed by Phil Fletcher. His "half-brother" Dodge T. Dog joined the following year. In July, he began presenting on weekdays with Scottish comedian Iain Stirling.[6] He presented with Stirling until his departure in 2013, when they began presenting with Chris Johnson.[7]

In 2011, Hacker was given a solo presenting role on a separate chat show titled Hacker Time.[8]

The character took a hiatus from CBBC in April 2014. During his absence, numerous guest presenters filled in for him during his usual weekday afternoon slot. Hacker returned temporarily on 24 May 2014, before making a permanent return on 18 June 2014.

Hacker is very fond of TV presenter Sue Barker and mentions her often.[9][10] In 2009 Hacker was the mascot for the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship.[11][12][13][14]

Hacker is known for saying ‘cockers’ - a Northern term for ‘mate’.[15]

In other media[]

Hacker, Barry Davies and Amberley Lobo provided CBBC commentary on the Russia v Belgium match at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Hacker appeared on an episode of Celebrity Mastermind in January 2018, his specialist subject being the Pet Shop Boys. He came in second place, losing to TV chef Paul Rankin.[16]

A Hacker T. Dog plush puppet was released in 2015 and made by Kidz Kreations, and sold in Argos and The Entertainer.

Social media[]

Hacker gained an official Twitter account in 2014, which as of March 2021 has over 42 thousand followers. An Instagram account was eventually created in April 2019, followed by an official YouTube channel. These social media channels are run by both Phil Fletcher and the BBC social media team.

Television[]

The character has appeared in the following roles:

Year Title Notes
2009–2011 Scoop
2009–present CBBC Channel presenter
2011–2016 Hacker Time Presenter, 63 episodes
2013, 2016 Sam & Mark's Big Friday Wind-Up
2014 Wimbledon 2day
2015 Wimbledon
Hacker's Birthday Bash: 30 Years of Children's BBC Main role
2015–2017 The Dog Ate My Homework 5 appearances
All Over the Place
2016 Horrible Histories: Gory Games Contestant
Hacker's Olympic Rundown Main role
Celebrity Mastermind Contestant; 2nd place
Hacker's Crackers Main role
Zig and Zag's Zogcasts Guest; episode 17
2017 BBC Election Wrap
2017–2019 Saturday Mash-Up! Presenter
2018 Remotely Funny Contestant
2020 Pointless Celebrities Contestant; children's TV special
2021

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Awards Database – The BAFTA site". Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  2. ^ "The Children's Media Conference". Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Radio Times". Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Wigan News :: wiganworld". 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  5. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/joinin/cbbc-hq-presenter-profile-hacker Hacker's Profile - CBBC. Retrieved 17th October 2020.
  6. ^ "CBBC – CBBC Stars". BBC. Archived from the original on 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
  7. ^ "Website". Archived from the original on 2014-12-28. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  8. ^ "CBBC – Hacker Time". BBC. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  9. ^ "BBC Sport – Hacker's The Dog's Wimbledon quest". London: BBC. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  10. ^ "BBC SPORT | Tennis | On the hunt for Sue Barker". BBC News. London: BBC. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  11. ^ "Wimbledon japes from CBBC's Hacker the dog – Liverpool Daily Post". 2012. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  12. ^ "BBC Sport – Tennis – Hacker & Dodge come to Wimbledon". London: BBC. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  13. ^ "BBC Sport – Tennis – Wimbledon day 11 as it happened". BBC News. London: BBC. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  14. ^ "Today at Wimbledon – Dave Cheeseman | Cameraman & Picture Editor". davecheeseman.com. 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  15. ^ https://www.wigantoday.net/news/hacker-t-dog-invites-stars-wigan-719276 Wigan Today. Retrieved 17th October 2020.
  16. ^ https://metro.co.uk/2016/12/19/hacker-t-dog-almost-won-mastermind-and-everyones-fallen-in-love-with-him-6333612/ Metro. Retrieved 17th October 2020.
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