Newfoundland dog Buzz becomes Chewbacca in Keith and Paddy's spoof of Star Wars Return of the Jedi
Published: 10:10, 19 May 2017
Updated: 11:25, 19 May 2017
A dog is to become a TV star in a take-off of a blockbuster.
Buzz, a Newfoundland breed, will tomorrow (Saturday) appear as Chewbacca, the hairy alien in the Star Wars series.
It is in a take-off of the third-released film, Return of the Jedi, being spoofed in the latest episode of The Keith and Paddy Picture Show.
Buzz, aged five, is owned by Doug and Helen Gray of Finglesham.
Mrs Gray said: “We're really excited. This is the first time he has appeared on television.”
The episode will be shown at 9.20pm tomorrow on ITV and Buzz had appeared in a trailer on Wednesday.
It was filmed in January and February at Pinewood Studios and west London.
Mr and Mrs Gray went with Buzz for the filming where they met McGuinness, Lemon and Michelle Keegan who plays Princess Leia in the spoof.
Mrs Gray said: “I remember Paddy was really lovely. He took to Buzz as if he was his own and held him. Once he patted him on the head and said: ‘Alright Chewie?’”
The episode also had Philip Schofield as Yoda, Ant and Dec as Ewoks, David Dickinson as the Emperor and Jeremy Kyle as himself. The Grays did not meet these stars as they were filming on separate days.
Buzz is well known as part of the group Beach Buddies Newfoundlands who are regularly brought as attractions to Deal and Sandwich Carnivals.
He had been recommended for the TV role by the owner’s group the Newfoundland Club.
The Grays have two other Newfoundlands, which are water rescue dogs. They are male Woody, aged 11, and Buzz’s son Rufus, aged 22 months.
The Keith and Paddy Picture Show, made by Talkback Thames, has already spoofed movies such as Dirty Dancing, Ghostbusters and Jaws, which was filmed on Camber Sands.
It reflects the favourite films of the pair.
Paddy McGuinness, is host for the dating show Take Me Out and Keith Lemon is presenter of the comedy panel game Celebrity Juice.
Keegan was Tina McIntyre in Coronation Street from 2008 to 2014.
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