Happy 50th Birthday to Britain’s best-loved canine…Fred Basset! To mark the occasion K9 Magazine are delighted to offer 5 lucky readers the chance to win a copy of ‘Fred Basset: Celebrating 50 Years‘!
Since he first appeared in the pages of the Daily Mail, Fred has charmed readers young and old with his unique perspective on the ups and downs of everyday life. Sometimes critical – more often playful – but always amusing.
When Associated Newspapers first commissioned the strip it was for an initial period of just six months, but the years have flown by to this landmark. The statistics are rather impressive: multiplying 364 days a year by 50 – leaving aside Christmas Day and leap years – comes to over 18,000 strips. This figure represents the number of original pieces of artwork.
Whilst adhering to the original concept, Fred has developed both in design and with the introduction of new characters. For example, he has changed shape to a fuller figure (don’t we all!). Jock and Yorky have been joined by Taffy, a little Welsh terrier. Lucy and Jemma, our two cocker spaniels, also make appearances. On the human side, Fred’s master and mistress have befriended a Frenchman named Claude, whilst Amanda has Mia for a playmate. Sam is a modern teenager, while the Tucker Twins are still up to their tricks, and the Barrington-Smyths, the Vicar and the long-suffering butcher put in regular appearances.
Fred’s escapades give insight into canine and human nature alike. This special commemorative edition collects strips from Fred’s amazing 50 years in print. Though the world has changed considerably during his lifetime, one thing’s for sure: Fred has always been – and will always be – simply, Fred.