Kermit hops on 50-stop world tour

Kermit was originally made with ping pong balls for eyes.

Kermit the Frog has announced he is to go on a 50-stop worldwide tour to mark his half-century in show business.

The amphibious Muppet star will begin his global adventure in the US town of Kermit, Texas.

Disney bought the Muppets franchise from the Jim Henson Company last April for a reputed £30m.

Chris Curtin, general manager and vice president of The Muppets Holding Company, said it seemed fit to give Kermit the "grandest of celebrations".

The Disney-owned firm - which calls the Muppets a "world class brand franchise" - plans to commission films, TV shows, website and mobile phone content.

Ping-pong balls

Kermit and friends will be back with a new television series, making a comeback since their 1980s heyday.

Creator Jim Henson, who died in 1990, originally created Kermit with a scrap of green material, using two ping-pong balls for eyes, in 1955.

The friendly frog made his first television appearance that year on a five-minute puppet show in the US.

Some 15 years later he got his big break when the Muppets made their debut on Sesame Street. It was followed by the UK-produced Muppet Show in 1976.

Kermit has since appeared in six feature films and has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Next week the United States Postal Service will issue a special stamp collection honouring Henson and 10 Muppets favourites.