Toucan Tecs () is a British animated children's television programme about two private detectives, a pair of titular anthropomorphic toucan detectives named Zippi and Zac (voiced by Philip Whitchurch and Tony Robinson respectively), who, although based in the jungle, traveling around the world solving crimes on their flying devices. Their main enemies are group of ducks, called "The Mad Ducks", led by Red Leader.
Produced and Animated by Cartwn Cymru, S4C and Yorkshire Television, the show debuted on CITV on 7 January 1991 and consists of 26 ten-minute episodes.
Characters Zippi - The brains of the Toucan 'Tecs, who comes up with plans. Wherever he goes around the world, he always wears a matching hat corresponding to the country. He is voiced by Philip Whitchurch. Zac - Zippi's partner of the Toucan 'Tecs, who carries out Zippi's plans. He wears blue glasses. He is voiced by Tony Robinson. Samson - A snail who provides the equipment that toucans will need to carry out their cases. He wears a fuchsia and aqua polka dot bow tie. He has a Scottish accent and is the Toucan Tecs’ agent. He is voiced by Philip Whitchurch. Fifi - A fat duck who provides transport for the toucans. She is voiced by Kate Lee in a German accent. The Mad Ducks - The main antagonists who are always up to no good, having fun and playing at others inconvenience and expense. They wear pilot helmets in different colours and goggles. They are voiced by Tony Robinson, Philip Whitchurch and Kate Lee. The Red Leader - The boss of the Mad Ducks. She always gives the word and wears a brown jacket, a pale pink scarf, a red pilot helmet and goggles. She is voiced by Kate Lee.
Episodes #TitleSummaryAir Date1Gopher GoldZippi and Zac are called in to help a Mexican Gopher whose burrow is being destroyed by the Mad Ducks!21 October 19902Swiss RollShammy the Mountain Goat calls in the toucan detectives to find out why none of the cuckoo clocks work anymore.22 October 19903Highland FlingWilly the bat hasn't had a wink of sleep in Invergargle Castle for ages - but why?23 October 19904High FlyersBillions the tycoon pigeon needs Zippi and Zac to help him budge the Mad Ducks who have landed on his New York penthouse.24 October 19905The Peacock Palace ScoopA magic carpet arrives to whisk the toucans off to the mysterious and fabulous East. But why?25 October 19906The Big DripA family of beavers in Canada are in a lot of trouble when all the water disappears from their dam, Zippi and Zac are called in to help.26 October 19907Desert Island DucksThe intrepid toucans find a way to rescue the baby turtles on a beautiful South Seas island.27 October 19908The Snail's TaleThe story of how the toucan detectives first met Samson the snail and those mad, bad, dangerous Mad Ducks. 28 October 19909PandamoniumZippi and Zac are on their way to China to help by the Giant Pandas those Mad Ducks are playing on their playground, but then was spooked by a fire breathing dragon.29 October 199010Crazy GolfTBA1 November 199011Down-Under the WeatherPoor Zippi was having a bad cold when Zac visits Australia with the koala bears, but at the outback the Mad Ducks know their boss Red Leader got a bad cold with they steal some leaves.2 November 199012Dolly RockersZippi and Zac travels to Siberia Russia to help Boris, but the Mad Ducks steals a bunch of dolls.3 November 199013The Grand Ostrich BallTBA7 November 199014Arabian KnightsTBA8 November 199015Mad Ducks OlympicsThe Mad Ducks are holding their annual Olympic Games, but there's a lot of cheating going on!9 November 199016Colour CrazyTBA10 November 199017Barmy Barn DanceTBA11 November 199018Up in the Air Zippi and Zac go to the forest in Finland to help the flying squirrels who are frightened by the Mad Ducks with hang gliders.12 November 199019Soccer it to ThemTBA13 November 199020Potty PiratesTBA14 November 199021The Ice Cream ScreamTiki the Himalayan snow leopard hears an awful noise - then the snow starts to disappear.15 November 199022Zac in LoveTBA20 November 199023Ducks and DragonsTBA21 November 199024Magic TricksTBA22 November 199025Prickly ProblemsTBA24 November 199026Raising a StinkTBA29 November 1990
Credits Developed from Zippi and Zac a series of books by Heinemann Young Books Original story by: Peter Lawson and Elizabeth Laird Series Consultants: Cartwn Cymru Script: Roger Stennett, John Gatehouse Voices: Peter Hawkins, Kate Lee, Tony Robinson, Philip Whitchurch Storyboard and Layout: Wayne Thomas, Nik Lever Backgrounds: Jocelyn Smith, Karen Pereira Animation: Paul Bannister, Steve Hayne, Roger Philips, Lloyd Sutton, Graham Griffiths, Chris Webster, Nigel Davies, Andrew Janes, Phil Parker, Theresa Whatley, Andy Wilson, Malcom McGookin, Darren Holt, Denise Heywood, Martin Edwards Assistant Animation: Helen Smith, Johnathan Tordoff, Helen Michael, Paul Greenall, Michael Harrison, David Taylor, Craig Whittle, Jonathan Barry For the Ink 'n' Paint Co: Elizabeth Butler, Nic Howell, Andrew Peters, Lisa Ann Pike, Marie Sheard, Inez Stoodley, Jenny Thomissen, Rosemary Thorburn, Pauline Webster, Wendy Williams Xerox and Tracing: Mark Grindley, Joanna Alvey, Ruth Jacobs, Dona Walsh Painting: Colour Crew Line Tester: Duncan Harris Camera: Cardiff Cartoon Camera Company, Mark Sutton, Steve Charkewycz, Tim Francis Sound: Eco Ltd, Ray Buckley, APS, Ian Gillespie, Silk Sound Materials: Film Sales, Cromacolour Editor: Robert Francis Off-Line Editor: Andrew Brearley On-Line Editing: Editz Music: Ernie Wood Production Co-ordinators: Ceri Griffin, Melvin Howcroft Directors: Gary Hurst, Nik Lever Producers: Naomi Jones, Ian Steel Executive Producers: Christopher Grace, John Marsen a Cartwn Cymru production for Yorkshire Television in association with S4C A Catalyst Pictures Ltd Production in association with Cartoon for Yorkshire Television © Yorkshire Television Ltd MCMXC/MCMXCII
References
External links
Toonhound