THERE are many ways of spending the summer. For Pete Hillier, for example, the season will involve travelling the length and breadth of the country in a van shared with a kangaroo and a monkey.

Pete is also known as Boogie Pete, star of the Bafta award-winning Cbeebies programme Boogie Beebies.

He is bringing his stage version of the show to Weymouth Pavilion for two dates this month and promises entertainment that all the family can get into.

“It’s loosely based on Boogie Beebies but with added audience participation that gets the kids in from the start,” he said.

“There is lots if silliness and music and dancing and I share the stage with a girl, a kangaroo called Sonny and a monkey called Bobo. We seem to spend a lot of the time travelling to venues from one end of the country to the other, in the van, eating Kit Kats.

“It’s not just for the kids though, I do throw a few things in for the adults so they don’t get too bored.

“The children really get in to it though so be warned – there is a lot of shouting.”

Boogie Pete Live features some of the TV show’s top songs and dances, including Go, Go Mango, Hey Monkey and Ocean Motion.

Pete, who is married with two young children and also works as a personal trainer, started his career on West End stages before auditioning for a children’s programme.

“I went to three auditions and what I didn’t realise was that the auditions were being videoed and then shown to children. They liked what I was doing and I got the job.

“I also did a few appearances as Boogie Pete at parties and nursery schools and it went down well so I thought it would work in theatre. I have been doing it now for three years.”

Children’s television has changed dramatically over the years – Pete believes for the best.

“When I was growing up it was all Pigeon Street and Bagpuss but now there is a lot more educational stuff on, things about fitness which I think is great.

“But you still need some silliness – and that is where I come in.”

Boogie Pete is at Weymouth Pavilion on Thursday, August 5 and Friday, August 27. Both shows start at 3.20pm and tickets are £8.50. Call 01305 783225 for details.