Robbie, Kylie spin Magic Roundabout

The old characters are back as never seen before

Pop stars Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue are to provide voices for a new film version of children's television classic The Magic Roundabout.

Williams is to star as Dougal whereas Minogue will play the ever-sensible Florence, in the animated movie due to be released in 2004 it was announced on Thursday.

Robbie Williams will not be seen but heard

The old favourites of the hit children's television series will be joined by new characters using computer-generated graphics.

Pathe Pictures, which will distribute the film, is confident it will rival the success of the animated film Chicken Run, which earned £30m in the UK.

Line-up

Francois Ivernel, managing director of Pathe Pictures, said: "The Magic Roundabout is a wonderful property that holds fond memories for many parents and young children.

"It is hugely exciting to introduce Dougal and his friends to a new generation".

The characters will be computer-generated

Actress Joanna Lumley will play good-natured bovine Ermintrude while Richard O'Brien, creator of the Rocky Horror Show, will take on the role of the spring-propelled Zebedee.

Oscar winner Jim Broadbent, will be Brian the snail.

Pop star Williams is no stranger to the world of animation as he provided the voice of the narrator in short Christmas film Hooves Of Fire.

Actor Tom Baker, known by many for playing the fourth Doctor Who, will be the voice of new character ZeeBadee while screen hardman Ray Winstone will be give a voice to another new boy Soldier Sam.

Series revived

The actor who will play laid-back Dylan the rabbit will be revealed at a later date.

The new movie is being directed by Dave Borthwick.

The Magic Roundabout was a television hit for years after it was first created in the mid-Sixties for French TV by Serge Danot.

It ran from 1965 to 1977 on BBC One and was revived by Channel 4 a decade ago.

Actress Emma Thompson's father Eric created the programme's storylines and characterisation when the programme was broadcast on the BBC.

In the 90s, all the voices were supplied by the actor Nigel Planer, famous from the cast of The Young Ones.

A movie version of Magic Roundabout, called Dougal And The Blue Cat, was released in 1972.