Where's Wally? In Lancashire of course! Well-loved children's character is voiced by Kirkham actor

The adventurous 12-year-old from well-loved books has been made into a cartoon by animation heavyweights Dreamworks, and 10 episodes are available on Sky.

The main character, Wally himself, is being voiced by 19-year-old James Cartmell from Kirkham.

The former Kirkham Grammar School pupil said: “It’s fantastic to be the voice of this character that’s been a massive part of a lot childhoods and working with the Dreamworks team has been the best experience. I grew up reading Where’s Wally and even had the pyjamas.”

James started his acting and voice lessons at Kirkham Grammar School before becoming a member of the Lytham Academy of Theatre Arts. After signing with an agent, he landed roles in theatre productions, but this was his first voice-over.

“It was all top secret”, said James.

“I was in Preston and got a call at midday asking me to go for an audition just outside London that afternoon. I made it to the last audition but had no idea it was for Where’s Wally until I was there.

“I watched a few Where’s Waldo’s (the American version being dubbed for a UK audience) and then started playing round with some lines, trying to get the voice right. The producers were very keen on getting my regional accent, and we worked to get the voice sounding happy and excited.”

He added: “I had to listen to my own voice back, which was strange, but to be able to put Dreamworks on my CV is great.”

James said he was “amazed and incredulous” to learn he had landed the role, and to break the ice in the studio, wore a Where’s Wally hat and glasses during recordings.