Happy Birthday Beau !

[Rob Baker]

T'was the 2nd November 1978 that the first Beau Peep strip appeared in print. Congratulations to Roger and Andrew for an amazing 32 years.  I thought I'd mention this just to make you both feel old.

[Diane CBPFC]

Yes, but they were still using crayons back then surely?

[Roger Kettle]

Good grief. Thirty two years. Our first contract was for six months and I genuinely believed that would be it.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

It's a terrific run for a terrific strip. Quality every step of the way!

Long may it continue, and congratulations to you both, Roger and Andrew. I feel very privileged to have played my very small part... 

[The Peepmaster]

I also offer congratulations. I have to admit I feel you must be very privileged to have me as a friend.

[Bilthehut]

Congrats, Roger.  And a plague on those publishers who stopped the production of the fantastic Beau peep annuals.

[Fyodor]

Good grief. Thirty two years. Our first contract was for six months and I genuinely believed that would be it.

The turned me down flat and I genuinely believed that would be it.
It was.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Turned you down for what, Fydo?

[Fyodor]

I submitted a cartoon idea called Peep-Bo, which was, I believe, cruelly plagiarised.

[Bilthehut]

Sounds a bit 'after-the-watershed'.

[Joan]

Oh, congratulations, Roger and Andrew! I remember you saying to me that you were going to be a famous cartoonist, Roger. I knew it when you got that cartoon in Playboy - or was it Penthouse? I knew which one it was because it was signed "Randy". 

Who'd have thunk I'd be congratulating you 32 years later from the other side of the world?

Well done, both of you!

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

I remember you saying to me that you were going to be a famous cartoonist, Roger.

Bet you laughed at the time though, Joan. They laughed at me too. They're not laughing now!



Erm...

[Roger Kettle]

Joan, I can't remember ever thinking I'd be a FAMOUS cartoonist. (I'm still not---very few readers take in the names associated with comic strips). However, back in the late 70s, I was pretty determined to be a SUCCESSFUL cartoonist. All I wanted to do was get a daily strip into a national newspaper.
You're quite right about the pen-name----Andrew and I WERE Randy in those days (Fnaar! "R" for Roger plus Andy). We sold a lot of cartoons back then to the men's magazines---Club, Men Only, Knave, Penthouse etc.  They paid really good money and the income saved me from starvation. As I've mentioned many times, Beau Peep was rejected over thirty times before The Daily Star finally came along, so Andrew and I worked for anyone who would pay us!

[Joan]

Maybe it was you would have a famous cartoon strip, Roger.  Certainly wasn't surprised when I found out about Beau Peep. I think that was your first cartoon in one of the mags.  I remember I was with a friend's boyfriend in the newsagent and he got really embarrassed when I marched over to the girly mags and started leafing through your one to find the ad.  Asked him to buy it for me, just to wind him up some more. Pen name was pretty obvious - couldn't miss it.  I laughed out loud when I saw it.

[Rob Baker]

Wow, 33 years old today, and still going strong! Congratulations Roger and Andrew.