Roland Rat Demands Cook-Off Against TV Chef Ramsay

Mar 9 2008 By Heather Greenaway

Exclusive Roland Demands Cook-Off Against Tv Chef Ramsay

KIDS' TV favourite Roland Rat wants a small-screen showdown with Gordon Ramsay.

The notorious rodent is back with his first show for 20 years and says the foul-mouthed chef's Hell's Kitchen shows is one reason telly needs him.

Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mail, cocky Roland challenged the firebrand Scot to a cook-off like Remy the rat from Disney's cartoon hit Ratatouille.

He said: "I could see me working alongside Gordon Ramsay in a Ratatouille-type show.

"He's a bit foul-mouthed for me though - mind you he's made a fortune pretending he knows how to cook, hasn't he? Full marks for that.

"Shout yer head off and treat people like dirt. Who would have thought that would work, eh?

"lt's about time someone decent graced our screens because there's a right load of rubbish on TV now, that's for sure.

"The world is always ready for a versatile, furry, highly-talented genius like me-self."

The wise-cracking rat, who was hailed as the saviour of ailing breakfast outfit TV-am in the 1980s, is back presenting Roland Rat's Top 50 Pop Superstars on Hits TV.

Roland, who is scripting a new American show called Rat 66, also thinks he has what it takes to replace Gordon Brown as Prime Minister.

But he also fancies a bit part in Scots soap River City. He said: "I'd love to be in it...as long as I can wear a kilt.

"When you are covered in fur like what I am a kilt is a wonderful thing. It let's the air flow and I like that."

Roland, whose last British appearance was on a puppet special of the Weakest Link in December, is still friends with Kevin the Gerbil and Errol the Hamster.

He said: "They are like leeches. I cannot get rid of them.

"Kev is still in charge of my money and Errol is just a constant bore.

"But they are like family - you love 'em and ya hate 'em but ya can't do without 'em."

Catch up with the furry superstar on Roland Rat's Top 50 Pop Superstars on The Smash Hits TV channel on March 21 at 7pm.

h.greenaway@ sundaymail.co.uk