warmest day of the year so far here, with temperatures hitting 20.2 celsius in aberdeenshire. temperatures on saturday will come down significantly, by around 5—6 so you will notice that change for sure. overnight, a few patches of light rain coming and going across northern england, north wales. aside for that, some showers in north scotland, a lot of dry weather with clear spells around. temperature is about 8—10 to take us into the first part of saturday morning because it is a mild start your day. here comes our cold front across scotland and northern ireland. followed by showers, some hailstorms mixed in, and gusting 35—50 miles an hour. it will be a lot cooler. temperatures around 11—13. there could be the odd patch of rain for northern england and wales, but other than that, a lot of dry and bright weather. some hazy sunshine to stop top temperatures reaching around 21 or 22 toward eastern

england. it is only through saturday nights the cooler air finally sink southwards across all parts of the uk. by sunday, chilly start to the morning but plenty of sunshine. lots of showers in the forecast for scotland and northern ireland. some with hail. one or two showers pushing on to england and wales. should be drier towards east anglia and south—east england but noticeably cooler and fresher, the top temperatures around the london area of 15. chris, thank you. angela rayner is back in the spotlight over her tax affairs.

she says she'll stand down if she's found to have committed an offence. we explain what she is being accused of and ask our political panel what the fallout could be. also tonight, joe biden�*s message to iran. what is the message to iran in this moment? �* israel has said it is ready "defensively and offensively" if iran were to attack. the white house says an attack will come "sooner rather than later". what kind of attack might they be planning? we'll be looking into the military options and ask what is driving iran's actions. and this. sitting in the tree, a little dinosaur sitting in the carriage. how did this little pup bluey take the world by storm and upend the entertainment industry? we have the stars of the show.

hello. the shadow deputy prime minister angela rayner will have been hoping the questions over her tax affairs would go away. but that's not to be the case, for now at least. today, greater manchester police launched an investigation into her living arrangements over a decade ago, following a complaint by the deputy chairman of the conservative party. there have been allegations focused on whether she should have paid capital gains tax on a property she once owned, but today's announcement by the police is thought to relate to possible violations of electoral law. in a statement this evening, angela rayner once again denied doing anything wrong and for the first time said she would stand down if she's found to have broken the law. joe pike is here to explain it all.. thanks, sima. has angela rayner broken the law? she says no. today was meant to be her party s defence policy day. but now labour are back on the defensive on this topic, as they have been for weeks.

i have full confidence in her, i have expressed that over and over again. this smear against angela rayner and how much time she spent with her husband over ten years ago. she has taken legal advice and tax advice and her team have seen it and our team have seen it. she will cooperate with the investigation as you would expect and it is a matter for the police. this is a tale of two houses in stockport in greater manchester. and which one angela rayner was living at and when. the home she bought on vicarage road in 2007 and sold eight years later, the key address in this story, and the home of her then husband mark rayner a mile away on lowndes lane. the timeline is also important. 2007 was the year angela rayner bought vicarage road. 2015 was the year she sold it. but in 2010 she married mark rayner. angela rayner has said throughout this period she lived at vicarage road, "paid the bills there and was registered to vote there".

her critics allege that may not have been the case. but why does it matter which one she was living at? firstly because of capital gains tax. you don t pay it when you sell your main home. angela rayner is said to have made a £48,500 profit selling the vicarage road property. and she didn t pay capital gains tax on it. however, hmrc says married couples can only count one property as their main home, something angela rayner has admitted to newsnight she didn t realise at the time. and secondly, under electoral law you must tell the truth about your main residence. that's what we think greater manchester police are now investigating. earlier this month angela rayner spoke to newsnight s nick watt in her first broadcast interview on the row. the rules are complex and there are various different ways in which it is calculated, but i got expert advice because if i didn't owe any

capital gains tax i would have said and i would have paid it, but i don't know any capital gains tax because of the circumstances and i have gone through that with a tax expert and they have given me that advice. and one legal expert argues it s a little late to investigate a possible breach of electoral law. under the representation of the people act any offence committed under that act has to be prosecuted within one year of the commission of the offence. in this situation, where the alleged events took place a decade ago, it seems a waste of time and resources to carry out an investigation for something that can't be prosecuted. two tories have been central to amplifying this row — former donor lord ashcroft and deputy party chairjames daly who has highlighted to police reports that neighbours of angela rayner say she wasn t living at vicarage road. she hit out at the conservatives

in her statement tonight saying, "we have seen the tory party use this playbook before, reporting political opponents to the police during election campaigns to distract from their record. i will say as i did before, if i committed a criminal offence, i would of course do the right thing and step down. the british public deserves politicians who know the rules apply to them." history, however, suggests the chances of prosecution are small. it was a minor issue forjohn major when in 1968 he stood for and won a council seat that he shouldn t have. that is because mister major was my eligibility as a candidate rested on an incorrect entry in the electoral register. the 1960 at register shows him at 1a templer st in lambeth. and remember the 2017 stoke by—election? when police concluded there was "insufficient evidence" of criminal activity after ukip s paul nuttall used a house on his nomination papers

that he had yet to stay at. ultimately, though, the inability of angela rayner and her team to kill this story is a failure in itself. the party s long—time attack dog is now under attack herself. these allegations have dragged on for weeks and today s police intervention means they may not be over any time soon. nick is here now. nick, there have been developments in this in the last few hours with that statement from angela rayner. that is right, a pretty clear statement from labour's deputy leader. let's look at two key things that she said. in the first place she said, i am completely confident i have followed the rules at all times. then she said, i will say, as i did before, if i committed a criminal offence i would of course do the right thing and step down. now, does that sound a bit familiar? remember this? now, does that sound a bit familiar? rememberthis? let's now, does that sound a bit familiar? remember this? let's look again at what keir starmer said almost exactly two years ago when the

police announced they would launch an investigation into whether he had broken the covid rules by having a meal and a bottle of beer during a campaign stop in 2021. this is what he said. i am absolutely clear that no laws were broken, they were followed at all times. then he said, but if the police decide to issue me with a fixed penalty notice, i would of course do the right thing and step down. of course, angela rayner was at that event in county durham and issued a similar statement. the police subsequently found out no rules had been broken, so when i interviewed her three weeks ago i drew a comparison with her situation now and that so—called big eight episode. now and that so-called big eight eisode. . , ,, , episode. finally, you remember keir starmer and — episode. finally, you remember keir starmer and there _ episode. finally, you remember keir starmer and there is _ episode. finally, you remember keir starmer and there is the _ episode. finally, you remember keir starmer and there is the so-called i starmer and there is the so—called episode and he said had he faced a penalty notice he would resign. if this turns out that you should have declared a liability and you didn't,

would you be in the same position as keir starmer and think your position was unsustainable? i keir starmer and think your position was unsustainable?— was unsustainable? i have had the exert was unsustainable? i have had the med advice _ was unsustainable? i have had the expert advice and _ was unsustainable? i have had the expert advice and i _ was unsustainable? i have had the expert advice and i do _ was unsustainable? i have had the expert advice and i do not - was unsustainable? i have had the expert advice and i do not owe - was unsustainable? i have had the j expert advice and i do not owe any capital gains tax on that property. that was quite an interesting day, wasn't it, on and off camera? it was a re wasn't it, on and off camera? it was a pretty challenging _ wasn't it, on and off camera? it was a pretty challenging interview- a pretty challenging interview and angela rayner was my first broadcast interview on this issue and i asked detailed questions about her tax affairs and she told me she was a victim of a smear. under my questioning she did make two interesting admissions. in the first place she said she had not known at the time she sold this property in question in 2015 that under hmrc rules married couples can only have one property between them. that is important, asjoe was mentioning. the second thing is that tax advice she is relying on, saying she didn't have any liability, and she only commission that in recent months, not when she sold the property. on that final exchange we just saw

between me and angela rayner where i was dry that comparison between where we are today and the so—called issue a few ago, i decided at the time that for editorial reasons we should not run that. now, you can't run all of an interview, you have to make cuts, but for transparency i should say that the labour team raised concerns about that exchange and they said they didn't see how you could make a comparison to a commitment keir starmer had given two years ago after the police announced they were going to investigate him and angela rayner�*s position after the police said they would not investigate her because when i interviewed angela rayner the police said they would not be investigating this matter. it was a different situation then, and good editorial reason at the time not to include that exchange, but obviously

things have changed today with that statement. what is interesting is this provides quite an interesting glimpse into the world of relations between political broadcasters and political parties. it is quite normal for a political parties. it is quite normalfor a political political parties. it is quite normal for a political party, political parties. it is quite normalfor a political party, it doesn't happen every time, that they raise concerns about an interview. they sometimes do it after a live interview or after an interview that was recorded before the programme went on air and that is what happened in this case. bearing that in mind and taking the whole interview in a round, i made that editorial decision. in light of today's statement and development, the police statement, and what angela rayner has said, we think the exchange from that interview should be aired. well, to discuss the political implications of this i'm joined by the spectator�*s political editor, katy balls, and stephen bush who's an associate editor for the financial times. thank you to both of you forjoining me this evening. katie, just how bad would you say this plays out? it you would you say this plays out? if you have been speaking _

would you say this plays out? if you have been speaking to _ would you say this plays out? if you have been speaking to labour - would you say this plays out? if gm. have been speaking to labour aides in the past week, they have been quick to emphasise that, they were looking at whether to investigate and no decision had been made. the very act that the police are saying we are now investigating it suddenly means on a news agenda level it ramps up and everybody is covering it. it will probably be in the front pages over the weekend. there is still a big if as to whether it will lead to something. when labour figures say we welcome the police investigation i am a bit sceptical about how much they welcome it. i think they would rather it was not happening. but there is a chance at the police find there is no wrong doing and it clears the matter in a way that has not been possible because it has been slowly building up because it has been slowly building up in recent weeks. it does raise questions about keir starmer�*s choice of words because he has been saying i believe in angela rayner, i believe in her reasoning, i have not read her legal advice but my team is. now it is a police investigation

should you not bother reading it? what do you do if the police to find something? d0 what do you do if the police to find something?— what do you do if the police to find somethin: ? ,, ~ .,, , something? do you think he has been fobbin: it something? do you think he has been fobbing it off? — something? do you think he has been fobbing it off? i _ something? do you think he has been fobbing it off? i think _ something? do you think he has been fobbing it off? i think to _ something? do you think he has been fobbing it off? i think to be _ something? do you think he has been fobbing it off? i think to be honest. fobbing it off? i think to be honest it is hard to _ fobbing it off? i think to be honest it is hard to see _ fobbing it off? i think to be honest it is hard to see what _ fobbing it off? i think to be honest it is hard to see what they - fobbing it off? i think to be honest it is hard to see what they could i it is hard to see what they could have _ it is hard to see what they could have done — it is hard to see what they could have done differently given that she has her_ have done differently given that she has her own electoral mandate. he has her own electoral mandate. he has always— has her own electoral mandate. he has always had an interest in fobbing — has always had an interest in fobbing it off, because unlike everyone else in the shadow cabinet, he has _ everyone else in the shadow cabinet, he has had _ everyone else in the shadow cabinet, he has had to be in this weird situation _ he has had to be in this weird situation of going the advice will be looked at by my team because she is the _ be looked at by my team because she is the one _ be looked at by my team because she is the one part of that team that he cannot— is the one part of that team that he cannot sack — is the one part of that team that he cannot sack. we is the one part of that team that he cannot sack-— cannot sack. we are in the midst of an election — cannot sack. we are in the midst of an election campaign _ cannot sack. we are in the midst of an election campaign and _ cannot sack. we are in the midst of an election campaign and people i an election campaign and people might be arguing this is completely draining out everything labour want to say at the moment. it is overshadowing their election campaign. i overshadowing their election campaign-— overshadowing their election camaiun. , , campaign. i remember people saying that in 2022 and — campaign. i remember people saying that in 2022 and then _ campaign. i remember people saying that in 2022 and then the _ that in 2022 and then the conservatives lost 1000 councillors. this has _ conservatives lost 1000 councillors. this has been a comfort for people

that they— this has been a comfort for people that they have been able to make some _ that they have been able to make some running on it, but in terms of the political— some running on it, but in terms of the political stuff that matters, this is— the political stuff that matters, this is pretty small beer and unless it turns _ this is pretty small beer and unless it turns out — this is pretty small beer and unless it turns out that she has inadvertently broken electoral law and she _ inadvertently broken electoral law and she has inadvertently fallen foul of— and she has inadvertently fallen foul of hmrc, because in that situation _ foul of hmrc, because in that situation the party ends up in a difficult — situation the party ends up in a difficult situation. we situation the party ends up in a difficult situation.— situation the party ends up in a difficult situation. we talk about the dynamics — difficult situation. we talk about the dynamics at _ difficult situation. we talk about the dynamics at the _ difficult situation. we talk about the dynamics at the top - difficult situation. we talk about the dynamics at the top of- difficult situation. we talk about the dynamics at the top of the i the dynamics at the top of the labour party, do you see those dynamics change? could you see a scenario where keir starmer has to act differently?— act differently? going to stephen's oint, art act differently? going to stephen's point. part of— act differently? going to stephen's point. part of the _ act differently? going to stephen's point, part of the reason _ act differently? going to stephen's point, part of the reason keir- point, part of the reason keir starmer does not want to directly answer the idea of can she stay in the post? angela rayner has said she would step aside, but she is elected by the membership like keir starmer so it is much more complicated. she has her own power base unlike any other member of the shadow cabinet. keir starmer have really worked on

the relationship in the last few years. i think it is tricky. i think on the tory side in terms of what are they getting from this? i agree with stephen, i don't think this will save the tories local election campaign. they are in dire straits. but what it does is i think it probably improves it a little bit because people are thinking, at least they are under pressure as well. one of labour's keep media performance, the attacked, is not out there, so she is on the defensive and even if it does not lead exactly to where they wanted to, it is at least doing something in the media terms. we have spoken about labour, wonder backin we have spoken about labour, wonder back in the commons, the vote on the smoking ban back in the commons, you should when debit do you think rishi sunak can move the dial? ida.

should when debit do you think rishi sunak can move the dial?— sunak can move the dial? no, but let's take those _ sunak can move the dial? no, but let's take those issues _ sunak can move the dial? no, but let's take those issues in - sunak can move the dial? no, but let's take those issues in order, . let's take those issues in order, the smoking ban will be his most consequential public health legacy both consequential public health legacy hoth in_ consequential public health legacy both in terms of the direct impact but i _ both in terms of the direct impact but i think— both in terms of the direct impact but i think the decision to create a situation _ but i think the decision to create a situation will have to classes of adults — situation will have to classes of adults in— situation will have to classes of adults in different right will not be unpicked anytime soon but that will be quite divisive in the conservative party and a big legacy but a _ conservative party and a big legacy but a difficult moment in the life of the _ but a difficult moment in the life of the tory party. the rewind legislation, every day we had more stats _ legislation, every day we had more stats about small boats and its failure — stats about small boats and its failure to — stats about small boats and its failure to stop them sol stats about small boats and its failure to stop them so i think the tory party— failure to stop them so i think the tory party is tested to destruction, whether that's a good issue for them to -o whether that's a good issue for them to go on. but as katy said, there is like spring in— to go on. but as katy said, there is like spring in their step because of this story, — like spring in their step because of this story, showing they are at least able _ this story, showing they are at least able to go on the attack a bit. ., ., ., least able to go on the attack a bit-— i think i bit. you are nodding? i think parliament returning - bit. you are nodding? i think parliament returning is more bit. you are nodding? i think- parliament returning is more of a headache than anything else for it which is unique because he has a lot of mps would disagree with him on policies. the smoking ban is honestly a free vote but you will still see, for example, liz truss may intervene in coming against it so you might start to see some of

his critics talking against him. where i might disagree, on the rwanda bill, it could get royal assent next week depending what happens in the lords and they're still a chance you get some flights before the next election.— before the next election. that's what we've _ before the next election. that's what we've been hearing. - before the next election. that's what we've been hearing. i feelj what we've been hearing. i feel there is a lot _ what we've been hearing. i feel there is a lot on it _ what we've been hearing. i feel there is a lot on it in terms - there is a lot on it in terms of tory morale, not so much of saying that rishi sunak will suddenly win the election but there are different types of losses and also scenarios in terms of going into an election if we can get flights, it will definitely help him. i’m if we can get flights, it will definitely help him. i'm afraid i will have to _ definitely help him. i'm afraid i will have to stop _ definitely help him. i'm afraid i will have to stop you _ definitely help him. i'm afraid i will have to stop you there, - definitely help him. i'm afraid i i will have to stop you there, which we could continue but we have a limited amount of time so thank you for coming israel's on high alert after us officials warned there could be an iranian attack on its soil imminently. this would be a retaliation following a strike on iran's consulate in syria nearly two weeks ago which it's blamed israel for. 13 people were killed including senior iranian military figures. israel hasn't denied responsibility. there are now serious concerns an attack could mean wider conflict

across the middle east, costing more lives and destruction. one american official said the attack could be made up of more than a hundred drones, and dozens of cruise missiles. here's joe inwood. the strike on the iranian consulate in damascus was undoubtedly a major escalation. ever since the killing of mohammad reza zahedi, a top commander in iran's elite quds force, tehran has been promising a response. earlier this week, their foreign minister visited the site. "i'd like to say with a loud voice from here in damascus," he said, "that america has a responsibility for what happened and must be held responsible. the israeli regime will be punished." iran has two things to balance. on the one hand, it wants to restore the deterrent effect with israel, demonstrating that actions come at a cost. on the other, it seems keen to avoid an escalation

into a dangerous regional war. so, what are the options? first, they could reply using unconventional warfare, hitting an embassy or killing a diplomat. in march, police in peru arrested a suspected quds operative, accused of plotting to kill an israeli diplomat. my suspicion would be on something like that that they would wait. they would wait till really things had calmed down a bit until we weren't paying as much attention, really, to the region. and then there would be some sort of attack, either by proxies or by sympathisers or others, on an israeli diplomatic facility somewhere. they could use their proxy in lebanon, hezbollah, to step up attacks on israel. these have already been taking place. but given the vast stocks of iranian precision missiles the group is said to have, there is room for escalation. i think one of the issues with that is it means that essentially iran is using one of its assets and it changes from being essentially a threat to something that's been used. i think at the moment it quite likes the fact that it keeps

hezbollah in reserve, in a sense. iran could get its other shia militias in the region to attack us bases, something they hope would be less likely to lead to all out war. in some ways, they can claim, you know, it's a little bit more hands off. it wouldn't obviously be targeted at israeli territory, sovereign territory. it would be a response that may satisfy people at home. and then iran could, khamenei himself could say that we've done something in response to the attack on the consulate in damascus. finally, iran could launch a full blooded missile or drone attack on israel. this is the figurative — for now — nuclear option, maybe targeting military facilities in the golan heights or some other strategic target. the consequences of that would be anybody�*s guess, to be honest. i mean, i personally think it's an unlikely, it's an unlikely outcome because it's the one thing that i think would entail iran in a major middle eastern conflict,

not only with the israelis, but probably also with the united states. and that probably wouldn't end well for the islamic republic of iran. today, israel's defence minister met with the commander of american forces in the region to discuss their response. it comes as us intelligence sources briefed that a major attack on israeli soil was imminent. that would be a further escalation, but one that it's hoped will be avoided. i still believe that the iranians are clever and cool—headed strategic thinkers and that it is not in their interest to escalate the situation. if they do, then this becomes an israel—iran—us issue, and that wouldn't serve iranian purposes. it would put focus on iran, it would put the country of iran within israeli cross hairs and that is not something that will be beneficial for iran. this was the scene over northern israel tonight, as hezbollah missiles

were intercepted by the country's iron dome air defences. but this was seen as continuation, not escalation. ultimately, at this very moment, decisions are being made in tehran and tel aviv that could well have profound consequences — notjust for iran and israel. joining us now is sanam vakil, director of chatham house's middle east and north africa programme. thank you for coming on. us officials said an attack is imminent but what is your reading of the situation? we but what is your reading of the situation?— situation? we have heard it is imminent _ situation? we have heard it is imminent for _ situation? we have heard it is imminent for days, _ situation? we have heard it is imminent for days, i've - situation? we have heard it is| imminent for days, i've before situation? we have heard it is - imminent for days, i've before seen such messaging in the public domain between so many actors, both to hype up between so many actors, both to hype up the situation but perhaps to contain what everyone is fearing could be a broader regional war. i suspect there will be an iranian response in the next few days but we really are guessing as to what they will do and when, where and how. hagar

will do and when, where and how. how much pressure — will do and when, where and how. how much pressure do you think iran is under to be seen to be doing something? because of an attack on its consulate?— its consulate? certainly the attack on its consulate _ its consulate? certainly the attack on its consulate was _ its consulate? certainly the attack on its consulate was taken - its consulate? certainly the attack on its consulate was taken to - its consulate? certainly the attack on its consulate was taken to be l its consulate? certainly the attack on its consulate was taken to be a very brazen violation, the killing of seven important ir gc commanders was a real provocation and i think israel is trying to accomplish a few things. since october seven, israel is trying to accomplish a few things. since octoberseven, it's very clear that israel does notjust have to try to take out hamas but also push back iran from all of its borders, with hezbollah groups in syria and iraq so that is what this attack in damascus was trying to achieve. but since october seven as well, iran has been very clear it does not want a regional war so israel was able to perhaps strike knowing full well that iran is backed into a corner. so it was promoting iran knowing that perhaps iran is constrained at the same time. ., . ., , iran is constrained at the same time. ., . ., ,, , .,

time. how much does public opinion -la a role time. how much does public opinion play a role here? — time. how much does public opinion play a role here? are _ time. how much does public opinion play a role here? are people - time. how much does public opinion play a role here? are people in - time. how much does public opinion play a role here? are people in iran| play a role here? are people in iran keen on iran getting involved in this conflict?— keen on iran getting involved in this conflict? more broadly, no. iran has this conflict? more broadly, no. iran has a _ this conflict? more broadly, no. iran has a quite _ this conflict? more broadly, no. iran has a quite distinct - this conflict? more broadly, no. iran has a quite distinct foreign | iran has a quite distinct foreign policy approach that perhaps is not supported by its people. often times in iranian protests they are chanting against the iranian regionalforeign policy, not gaza, not lebanon, i want. people are worried the currency is depreciating and nobody wants to see a regional war. at the same time, i think the government in iran feels they might need to put forward a show of strength, one that restores a degree of deterrence for themselves, for the relationships across the region with the axis of resistance, as they are called, but also to show their main adversary, israel, that they are still in the game, but they don't want to overextend themselves so that the israelis count to respond. 50 so that the israelis count to respond-— so that the israelis count to resond. ., ., i. ~

so that the israelis count to resond. ., ., ~ respond. so what do you think you miaht see respond. so what do you think you might see here? _ respond. so what do you think you might see here? we _ respond. so what do you think you might see here? we saw- respond. so what do you think you might see here? we saw some - respond. so what do you think you might see here? we saw some of| respond. so what do you think you i might see here? we saw some of the scenarios painted byjoe in his piece. i scenarios painted by joe in his iece. ., . scenarios painted by joe in his aiece, ~' ., ., , , piece. i think that it really my best guess — piece. i think that it really my best guess is _ piece. i think that it really my best guess is that _ piece. i think that it really my best guess is that they - piece. i think that it really my best guess is that they could | piece. i think that it really my l best guess is that they could be piece. i think that it really my - best guess is that they could be a coordinated operation among the axis of resistance itself come a bit from hezbollah, a bit from groups in syria and a bit coming from iraqi. i would be very surprised if iran directly struck israel, i think that is a red line and that would be crossing the rubicon. and we would see a counterstrike from israel. band see a counterstrike from israel. and lastl , see a counterstrike from israel. and lastly. how — see a counterstrike from israel. and lastly. how do _ see a counterstrike from israel. and lastly, how do you see all impacting what is going on in gaza and the humanitarian situation there? you will have noted, _ humanitarian situation there? ym. will have noted, as i'm sure everyone has come of that for the past few days that had not been as much focus on the catastrophe in gaza. there is no real public talk about hostage release or humanitarian provision and that is really where a lot of the focus should be right now. and there needs to be a lot of pressure to get that

ceasefire going and to release those hostages but above all, to end this war so that people can start attending to all of the people suffering. brute attending to all of the people sufferinu. ~ ., ., ., suffering. we have run out of time auain, suffering. we have run out of time again. sanam _ suffering. we have run out of time again, sanam vakil, _ suffering. we have run out of time again, sanam vakil, thank- suffering. we have run out of time again, sanam vakil, thank you - suffering. we have run out of time again, sanam vakil, thank you so | again, sanam vakil, thank you so much for coming on. if you're around children whether at home or elsewhere, you'll probably know about the animated series called bluey. it's one of the world's biggest tv shows, and has an emmy to its name. it's broadcast in more than 60 countries, including here on the bbc iplayer, and in america. so what's it about? it follows the lives of a cartoon puppy, bluey, and her sister and parents. the australian programme is in the headlines after it was announced the next show airing on disney+ this sunday would be 28 minutes long instead of the usual seven minutes. are longer episodes now the future of this hit show? and how long can it continue? a little while ago, i spoke to david mccormack and mel zanetti, who are the voices behind the parents of bluey — bandit and chilli. it's relatable.

everyone can relate to an element of each episode of bluey. it looks good, it's a bit funny and it's got a heart of gold, like me! mel. heart of gold — that tracks. i thinkjoe the creator, has just this incredible ability of being able to distil truths of, like, that age group, but also just humanity. and i think it's managed to resonate notjust in australia but, as we've seen, internationally. so i think really beautiful writing is a big component and like you said, so much heart and funny. and you play the parents of bluey, the cartoon puppy. do you think that there are lessons in your episodes for parents? i don't know if it's lessons, but it's maybe just holding a bit

of a mirror up to parenthood and knowing that you're not alone and everyone else is going through, not exactly the same, but similar stuff. i don't think it tries to tell people what to do. yeah, i think what's beautiful about it is that it's not didactic, but there are so many beautiful things that can be learnt from it. there is some episodes that are such tear—jerkers, though, aren't there? i mean, i was talking about one with my editor a bit earlier on and he got all teary. i mean, it's gone to places where other children's shows haven't gone, dealing with conversations like miscarriage. was that difficult for you? often, when i get the first scripts, i will both laugh and cry on a first read because it's so beautiful. and for example, episode sleepy time, i recorded that, i knew what was happening. when i saw the finished product, i was like, oh, tears! so gorgeous. so i don't know about difficult but amazing to be part of something so moving. and because we're at the beginning stages, it's hard to know exactly

just how emotional it's going to get. so, like, we do our bits, but then when you see the finished product, boom, it's really amazing. the music, everything put together. it's really special. and where does your inspiration come from? i mean, are you basing these characters on anybody? well, i've got two daughters, and when the show started, they were about the same age as what i imagined bingo and bluey would be, so i could relate pretty much to the script. and this show, i mean, this show is big business and we're talking about some serious money. how does it feel to be a part of, you know, the profit margins for some of these large conglomerates? it makes me feel tiny! and i'd also like to be more recognised in the street, please! if we're part of this big behemoth, i want i want to have a security detail when i walk down the street. there might be some viewers who think what you convey is not realistic, that it is a dream world,

that, you know, parenting isn't