Hacker T. Dog

Hacker T. Dog
Hacker on CBBC.
Born	Hacker the Dog (2005-10-27) 27 October 2005 Wigan
Nationality	British
Occupation	Presenter/Puppeteer
Years active	since 2009
Employer	BBC / CBBC, CBeebies (guest appearance)
Television	Hacker Time (2011—) Scoop (2010—)
Family	Dodge T. Dog (half-brother) Mrs T. Dog (mother)
Website
Hacker's CBBC 'Hacker Time' Webpage

Hacker T. Dog, otherwise known as Hacker (born 27 October 2005) is one of the presenters of British children's television service CBBC.^[1] He is a puppet dog from Wigan.^[2] and is the half brother of Dodge T. Dog. Hacker is operated by puppeteer and comedian Phil Fletcher. He commentated on the Russia v Belgium at the 2014 World Cup for the BBC.^[3]

Hacker and his brother Dodge started on weekends in May 2009, and did weekdays from July 2009.^[4] Both puppets are modelled on the Border Terrier breed of dogs. Hacker is normally portrayed as being in the CBBC Office with his best friend Iain Stirling. When Sterling left in 2013 he presented with Chris Johnson. He also has his own show called Hacker Time and also stars in Scoop alongside Shaun Williamson with Iain Stirling as Digby Digworth and newspaper boy respectively. More recently, Hacker appeared as the titular character in Tracy Barker Returns, a special series broadcast before Tracy Beaker shows. It starred Hacker as Tracy Barker, a checkout girl. It parodies Tracy Beaker series.^[5] Hacker has made a few guest appearances on CBeebies mainly during the Christmas period. He usually presents in the CBBC office on weekday afternoons.^[6]

Hacker left the CBBC Office on 19 April 2014 (it is unknown whether he left to film Hacker Time series 4 or not). During this time, numerous guest presenters filled in for him during his usual weekday afternoon slot. These presenters included Shannon Flynn and Dodge T. Dog. Hacker returned on 24 May 2014 (temporarily) and 18 June 2014 (permanently).^[7]

Personal life

Hacker is very fond of TV presenter Sue Barker and mentions her often in the CBBC Office.^[8][9] In 2009 Hacker was the mascot for the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Phil Fletcher

Phil Fletcher is a five time BAFTA Award nominated British puppeteer and puppet maker. Phil is Hacker’s puppeteer. He has puppeteered him since 2009, when Hacker first began presenting. Before then he was operated by Andy Heath. Before Hacker appeared on CBBC, Fletcher made puppets for CBBC presentations and shows, including Ed and Oucho's Excellent Inventions and Transmission Impossible with Ed and Oucho. Hacker the Dog, Dodge, Dunceton the Brain and Oucho the Cactus are all puppets designed and built by Neil Sterenberg. Fletcher is also the founder of comedy puppet show company, The Gluvets, where he is assisted by Carl Chadd. The puppet shows tour around the UK at parties, festivals and other events.

Discography

References