Roland Rat is a British television puppet character created, operated and voiced by performer David Claridge. Introduced to British audiences in the early 1980s, Roland developed a cheeky, streetwise personality and featured in a mix of children’s entertainment and breakfast television. He is frequently associated with an underground home called the Ratcave beneath King's Cross railway station and a flamboyant diet of showbiz and humour rather than realistic rodent behaviour. Roland Rat remains one of the more recognizable puppet personalities from late 20th-century UK television.

Character ensemble and traits

Roland’s on-screen world includes a small cast of supporting characters and recurring props. Key figures are:

  • Little Reggie — Roland’s infant brother, often portrayed as mischievous and youthful.
  • Glenis the Guinea Pig — Roland’s girlfriend, depicted as part of his domestic circle.
  • Errol the Hamster — a friend and foil in many sketches; often appears alongside Roland. Errol the Hamster
  • Kevin the Gerbil — another companion who appears in ensemble routines. Kevin the Gerbil

A distinctive prop is Roland’s car, the bright pink 'Ratmobile', modelled on a 1953 Ford Anglia in its on-screen guise. The vehicle became a visual trademark of the character. Ratmobile

Origins and performance

David Claridge conceived and performed Roland Rat, using puppetry and voice work to give the character a fast-talking, confident persona. Claridge also provided the voices for several of the main supporting characters, enabling rapid exchanges and comic interplay on camera. Roland’s routines combined slapstick, topical jokes and a playful parody of celebrity culture aimed at children and family audiences.

Broadcast history and impact

Roland first gained wide public attention through appearances on UK television during a period when breakfast television and children’s programming were expanding. The character’s popularity led to regular series, specials, live appearances and a range of licensed merchandise. Roland is often credited in popular accounts with helping to raise visibility for the shows that featured him and with becoming a media presence beyond his original slots.

Legacy and notable facts

Although puppet-based children’s entertainment evolved over subsequent decades, Roland Rat remains a reference point for British TV puppetry. Collectors and fans remember the Ratcave setting, the ensemble cast and the bright, visual styling typified by the Ratmobile. Over time Roland has appeared in reunions, retrospectives and occasional revival projects, preserving his place in the history of UK children’s television.

For additional background on the character and cast, see dedicated pages and archival materials. The combination of creator-performer continuity, memorable supporting characters and distinctive imagery helped Roland Rat endure as a notable example of television puppetry.