I can't really say that the merchandising of Beau Peep has been a huge success. Over the 38 years of the strip's existence, I doubt if I've made more than 23 million quid. Actually, it's almost 23 million quid less than that. One of the minor successes was a Beau Peep fruit machine and part of the deal we made means that I have one in my office. I'm rather fond of it. The best bit came when one of them appeared in a pub scene on the TV series Peak Practice. It was a proud family moment because my wife's cousin, Shelagh McLeod, (check her out on Google) was a star of the show. I remember that night clearly.
"Look! There's my cousin, Shelagh!"
"Never mind that! Look! A Beau Peep fruit machine!"
That night didn't end well.