Sykes (dog)
Encyclopedia
Sykes is a dog actor
from Clifton, Oxfordshire
. He is best known in the UK for his appearance as Harvey in Thinkbox
's television commercial, but has also appeared in several Hollywood blockbusters. Originally found as a stray in 2004, his owner is animal trainer and stunt dog specialist Gill Raddings.
, after some friends of her found the dog while out walking dogs
of their own. The police were going to place him in kennels, so Raddings took in the stray. Raddings runs a company called Action Stunt Dogs and Animals, and other dogs living at her home with Sykes include Kyte, the Belgian Shepherd who portrayed Wellard
in Eastenders
. Although a cross-breed, his owner believes that there may be some Parson Russell Terrier
stock in him due to his long legs.
's award winning advert "Every Home Needs a Harvey", he has become better known to the public as the his character in the advert, "Harvey". In the advert he gets up to several different antics in order to impress prospective adoptors in an animal shelter
including ironing, cooking and driving children to school. By the end of 2010, the advert had been viewed on YouTube
more than a million times, and had over 11,600 followers on Facebook
. The advert was named "Advert of the Year" by ITV
for 2010.
In September 2010, the John Smith's Brewery
advert "Dog Show" began to broadcast, starring Peter Kay
and co-starring Sykes as the Jack Russell Terrier
"Tonto".
Films that Sykes has appeared in include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Other Boleyn Girl, Young Victoria, The Dutchess
, Alexander
, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
, The Wolfman and Clash of the Titans
.
Sykes was cast in Midsomer Murders
in March 2011, after attracting the attention of series producer, Brian True-May.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
from Clifton, Oxfordshire
Clifton, Oxfordshire
Clifton is a hamlet by the River Cherwell in Deddington civil parish about south of Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. Clifton is on the B4031 road between Deddington and Croughton, Northamptonshire.-Chapels:...
. He is best known in the UK for his appearance as Harvey in Thinkbox
Thinkbox
Thinkbox is the marketing body for the main UK commercial TV broadcasters - Channel 4, ITV, Sky Media, and Turner Media Innovations. UKTV joined Thinkbox in January 2011. Its aim is to work with the UK marketing community to help customers get the best out of television in all its forms...
's television commercial, but has also appeared in several Hollywood blockbusters. Originally found as a stray in 2004, his owner is animal trainer and stunt dog specialist Gill Raddings.
Personal life
Sykes was found roaming as a stray in 2004, at an estimated age of seven months. He was rehomed with Gill Raddings, a stunt dog specialist in Clifton, OxfordshireClifton, Oxfordshire
Clifton is a hamlet by the River Cherwell in Deddington civil parish about south of Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. Clifton is on the B4031 road between Deddington and Croughton, Northamptonshire.-Chapels:...
, after some friends of her found the dog while out walking dogs
Dog walking
Dog walking is both a pastime and a profession involving the act of a person walking with a dog, typically from the dog's residence and then returning. This constitutes part of the daily exercise regime needed to keep a dog healthy...
of their own. The police were going to place him in kennels, so Raddings took in the stray. Raddings runs a company called Action Stunt Dogs and Animals, and other dogs living at her home with Sykes include Kyte, the Belgian Shepherd who portrayed Wellard
Wellard
Wellard is a fictional Belgian Tervuren dog from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He first appeared in the series on 18 October 1994, and became EastEnders longest-serving pet, before being killed off on 15 August 2008. Although the character is male, he has been played primarily by three female...
in Eastenders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
. Although a cross-breed, his owner believes that there may be some Parson Russell Terrier
Parson Russell Terrier
The Parson Russell Terrier is a breed of small white terrier that originates from the Fox Terriers of the 18th century. The breed is named after the person credited with the creation of this type of dog, the Reverend John "Jack" Russell...
stock in him due to his long legs.
Career
Following his appearance in ThinkboxThinkbox
Thinkbox is the marketing body for the main UK commercial TV broadcasters - Channel 4, ITV, Sky Media, and Turner Media Innovations. UKTV joined Thinkbox in January 2011. Its aim is to work with the UK marketing community to help customers get the best out of television in all its forms...
's award winning advert "Every Home Needs a Harvey", he has become better known to the public as the his character in the advert, "Harvey". In the advert he gets up to several different antics in order to impress prospective adoptors in an animal shelter
Animal shelter
An animal shelter is a facility that houses homeless, lost, or abandoned animals; primarily a large variety of dogs and cats.Parrots, for example, are the third most common pet owned by people...
including ironing, cooking and driving children to school. By the end of 2010, the advert had been viewed on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
more than a million times, and had over 11,600 followers on Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
. The advert was named "Advert of the Year" by ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
for 2010.
In September 2010, the John Smith's Brewery
John Smith's Brewery
John Smith's is a brewery founded in 1758 by Backhouse & Hartley at Tadcaster in North Yorkshire, England. John Smith bought the brewery in 1847. John Smith's is the sixth highest selling beer brand in the United Kingdom, and the highest selling ale brand. The brewery is currently owned by...
advert "Dog Show" began to broadcast, starring Peter Kay
Peter Kay
Peter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
and co-starring Sykes as the Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell terrier is a small terrier that has its origins in fox hunting. It is principally white-bodied smooth, rough or broken-coated which is commonly confused with the Parson Russell terrier and the Russell terrier with the term "Jack Russell" commonly misapplied to other small white...
"Tonto".
Films that Sykes has appeared in include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Other Boleyn Girl, Young Victoria, The Dutchess
The Dutchess
The Dutchess is the debut and only studio album by American recording artist Fergie, who is a member of The Black Eyed Peas. The album was released on September 19, 2006. As of 2008, the album has sold more than six million copies worldwide...
, Alexander
Alexander (film)
Alexander is a 2004 epic film based on the life of Alexander the Great. It is not a remake of the 1956 film which starred Richard Burton. It was directed by Oliver Stone, with Colin Farrell in the title role...
, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (film)
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a 2010 sword-and-sorcery action film written by Jordan Mechner, Boaz Yakin, Doug Miro, and Carlo Bernard; directed by Mike Newell; produced by Jerry Bruckheimer; and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures...
, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a 2003 adventure fantasy film based on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney theme parks. It was directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
, The Wolfman and Clash of the Titans
Clash of the Titans (2010 film)
Clash of the Titans is a 2010 fantasy and action remake of the 1981 film of the same name . The story is very loosely based on the Greek myth of Perseus. Directed by Louis Leterrier and starring Sam Worthington, the film was originally set for standard release on March 26, 2010...
.
Sykes was cast in Midsomer Murders
Midsomer Murders
Midsomer Murders is a British television detective drama that has aired on ITV since 1997. The show is based on the books by Caroline Graham, as originally adapted by Anthony Horowitz. The lead character is DCI Tom Barnaby who works for Causton CID. When Nettles left the show in 2011 he was...
in March 2011, after attracting the attention of series producer, Brian True-May.