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Roland was born in a sewer under King's Cross
railway station in London. From an early age
he knew his destiny was to be famous and
entertain the masses. He began his televisual
career on breakfast TV station, TV-am. It was
well documented that the station's ratings had
fallen, and something needed to be done to get
viewers back.
Michael Parkinson introduced Roland's first
broadcast, on the 1st April, 1983, from a shed
on the top of the TV-am studios in London. The
response was immediate. Roland was given his
own series, Rat On The Road, in which he
toured the UK in his pink Ford Anglia, the
Ratmobile. Kevin bought the car for just £85,
and unfortunately, it always broke down. And
it was pink.
TV-am's ratings went up, thanks to Roland. A
trip to Switzerland followed for Christmas,
1983, then Roland went to Hong Kong to make a
film - Enter The Rodent. Sadly, the film
didn't get made, and Roland, Kevin, and Little
Reggie - who appeared in Roland's luggage, had
to travel home by working as air stewards! Rat
On The Road II was made during the summer of
1984, and then during October, Roland and the
gang rescued a guinea pig called Glenis from
Harrod's pet department, in a daring series of
attempts called Operation F.O.G.I. (Free Our
Glen Immediately). Numerous other specials
followed, but Roland fancied a change, so in
October, 1985, he moved channels to the BBC.
More of his friends appeared, including
Fergie, the DIY ferret, Colin, Roland's pet
flea, and even Iris and Freddy made TV
appearances.
 Roland
made a Christmas special, plus two series of
Roland Rat: The Series, the first of which was
broadcast on a Saturday night prime-time slot.
In 1987, super-hero status was assured, when
Roland and the gang became crime fighters.
Roland became Ratman, Kevin was Pink Bucket
Man, and Errol was Leekman. Little Reggie was,
obviously Wind Man, and the odd-job ferret,
Fergie became Kiltman. Roland appeared on
other top TV shows, including Wogan, Blankety
Blank, and the Children's Royal Variety
Performance.
Roland then
left the BBC, and ventured off to America, to
Los Angeles and made several programs called
LA Rat, which were broadcast on Channel 5 in
the UK. Roland also tried his magic on Channel
4's The Big Breakfast in an attempt to boost
viewing figures. Sadly, this time around it
didn't work, and the TV show was axed.
Roland has
kindly done four interviews with us over
years, and you can see what he had to say here.
Rol and the
gang now divide their time between the UK and
Los Angeles. They live in a custom built sewer
under the Hollywood sign, and you will be able
to keep up with their adventures on this very
site, and on Instagram and Twitter! There are
currently no official Roland Rat Facebook
pages.
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@rolandrat 
