By Cheryl Wood

BBC RADIO 2 has an unlikely new star—a dog from Fife named Dave.

The lakeland cross was plucked from thousands of canine hopefuls as the 2008 mascot for Chris Evans’ Drivetime show.

Chris and his team were impressed by Dave’s uncanny ability to make goat-like noises and his unusual full moniker—Dave Alastair Elvis Windsor Sausage Cunningham.

The lively seven-year-old pooch is owned by Sonia Cunningham and Nairn Beattie, from Kirkcaldy. Sonia is delighted that her four-legged friend is now something of a celebrity.

Sonia, an English teacher at Bell Baxter High in Cupar, said, “Chris Evans announced on air that he was going to be looking for his 2008 mascot.

“Listeners were asked to send in pictures of their dog and some information, which we did.”

Dave made it into Evans’ favourite five before the presenter announced he was the winner.

However, Dave’s life of stardom is a far cry from when he was first taken in by Sonia and Nairn.

Sonia said, “He was a rescue dog who had been abandoned in Ladybank woods.”

Dave’s photograph is on Evans’ Radio 2 website and he has been mentioned several times on air since being named the mascot.