For the first time we will see Simon's Cat's world in colour - though Simon's Cat remains white - six days a week. The animated YouTube phenomenon will appear just underneath long time Daily Mirror favourite Andy Capp.
Award-winning creator Simon Tofield says: “It's been a lifelong ambition of mine to create my own comic strip and book. Now I've published two books, Simon's Cat having his own strip in the Daily Mirror is like a dream come true! I am so excited and I am really looking forward to seeing the strip in the paper every day.”
Fergus McKenna, Mirror Group's Head of Syndication and Licensing, said: "We are delighted to announce this exclusive new deal with Simon's Cat and we are confident the cartoon strip will become a firm favourite with our readers."
The Simon’s Cat brand is continuing to go from strength to strength. The series of short films have amassed a staggering 116 million views on YouTube, collating a large and loyal fan base. A genuine word-of-mouth sensation, fans from all over the world have fallen for this adorable but anarchic feline who will do just about anything to be fed.
The best-selling ‘Simon's Cat – In His Very Own Book’ (Book 1) was published by Canongate in 2009, followed by ‘Simon's Cat - Beyond the Fence’ (Book 2) in 2010. There are a further two more books planned.
There is a wide range of merchandise for the brand with UK licensing agent RDF Rights (RDFR) and Portico which includes: greetings cards, gift wrap, gift tags, gift bags, stationery-based gifting and dated products to include calendars and diaries. Book 2 is also available on PSP™ through the PlayStation Digital Comics service.
Simon Tofield is an illustrator, animator and director at Tandem Films in London (and an owner of four cats - Hugh, Maisy, Jess and Teddy); Simon has always drawn cartoons from an early age.