It might seem barking, but a Dundee-born Hollywood superstar has signed up to voice a new pro-independence cartoon dog.
In a move that will have Yes campaigners’ tails wagging, it has been confirmed that Brian Cox will take a turn as Duggy Dug in an online series.
Duggy has been described as a scruffy yet likeable old highland terrier who will take a unique look at some of the issues around independence.
His creators, the Yes-backing Newsnet Scotland, say the character’s eyesight isn’t the best but insisted he will be cracking a few jokes as he uses his nose to sniff out fact from fiction.
Cox, who has previously spoken out in favour of independence and spoke at the Yes Scotland launch last year, said the humour of the programme would be a way of hounding out the “fear” tactics being used by the pro-union Better Together campaign.
He added: “If we can provide a few laughs at the same time as showing just how ridiculous some of the anti-independence scare stories actually are then it can only help. I think Duggy Dug has the potential to inject a bit of fun into the referendum debate, and that’s surely a good thing.”
Newsnet Scotland spokeswoman Lynda Williamson said: “The independence debate is currently dominated by fear and pessimistic claims from the No campaign.
“We believe a loveable cartoon character is just the thing to counter the relentless negativity and scaremongering.”
Ms Williamson added: “Duggy Dug isn’t just likeable though, he is wise as well and those watching the cartoons will be taken on an enjoyable yet informative wee journey.”
She admitted securing the services of someone with the profile and calibre of Brian Cox was “quite a coup” for her campaign group but insisted the project was set to grow.
Ms Williamson said: “Currently we are developing a custom site where people will be able to view all of the animations, the first of which is under development and will be released in July.