Scoop (TV series) facts for kids

Scoop is a fun children's TV series that first aired on the BBC's CBBC channel. It ran from January 2009 to December 2013. The show is about a clumsy but ambitious journalist named Digby Digworth, who works for a local newspaper called The Pilbury Post.

Digby, played by Shaun Williamson, is always trying to get a big news story, known as a "scoop." But he usually ends up causing a lot of trouble and disaster instead! He's always joined by his loyal dog, Hacker. The newspaper's boss, Max de Lacey, played by Mark Benton, is often short-tempered because of Digby's mistakes. The show also features guest stars, including Lesley Joseph and Mina Anwar, who plays Selena Sharp, a reporter from a rival newspaper. Sometimes, the show even makes fun of famous people, like a children's writer called T. K. Towling (like J. K. Rowling) or a car show presenter named Clark Jameson (like Jeremy Clarkson).

Each episode of Scoop is about 28 minutes long.

About the Show

Meet the Characters

The show has a great cast of characters that make it so funny!

• Shaun Williamson plays Digby Digworth, the main character. He's a reporter who tries his best but often messes things up.
• Hacker is Digby's dog and sidekick. He's a Border Terrier puppet character. Hacker first appeared on Scoop and later became a popular presenter on the CBBC channel! He's been operated by different puppeteers, including Andy Heath (in series 1) and Phil Fletcher (in series 2 and as a CBBC presenter).
• Mark Benton plays Max de Lacey, the boss of The Pilbury Post newspaper. He's often annoyed by Digby's antics.
• Mina Anwar plays Selina Sharp, a reporter from a competing newspaper. She often tries to get the scoop before Digby.
• Other characters include Sam Stockman as Simon, Simon Ludders as Sid the Source (in series 1), and different actors playing the Newspaper Boy or Deliverer.

How the Story Works

Every episode of Scoop follows a similar pattern, which makes it fun to watch!

Digby's Daily Routine

Each show starts with Digby waking up to a fancy alarm system. Then, he tries to stop the paperboy from throwing his newspaper into a puddle, but he always fails!

The Editor's Frustration

The episodes always end in the same funny way. Max, the editor, looks at the newspaper's front page, expecting to see a great story. But instead, he finds a picture showing the mess Digby caused! This makes Max shout, "DIGBY DIGWORTH!"

Sid the Source

In the first series, Digby and Hacker often needed help from a mysterious character called Sid the Source. Sid likes to hide his face. Hacker often gets confused and thinks "source" means a sauce topping. So, whenever Digby says, "Every reporter needs a source," Hacker holds up a different kind of sauce!

Exciting Episodes

Scoop had many exciting and funny episodes across its three seasons. Here are some highlights:

Season 1 (2009)

• No Newt Is Good Newt

Digby joins a famous explorer to find a rare blue spotted newt. Hacker is more interested in Bigfoot, but then Bigfoot mistakes Hacker for its baby!

• Out of This World

Digby wants to take the best photo of aliens for a competition. Hacker agrees to go into space for a year's supply of pizza, and his rocket attracts an alien. But Digby gets disqualified when his camera is destroyed!

• Monk-y Business

Digby finds an old map while covering a story at Pilbury monastery.

• Cat-astrophe

Digby is sent to interview a top model, but it turns out to be a cat! When the cat escapes, Digby and Hacker get blamed and have to get it back.

• Fight Night

Wrestling fever comes to town as a US wrestling star, "The Ballista," prepares for a big fight in Pilbury.

• Hair Brained Scheme

A movie star is in town, and Digby thinks he's bald. Digby tries to get a photo of the actor, but he has to avoid a very strict hotel manager, Mrs Green, played by Lesley Joseph.

• Don't Read All About It

Famous children's author T.K. Towling visits to promote her new book. Digby and rival reporter Selena Sharp (played by Mina Anwar) both want to interview her. But Hacker accidentally destroys the only copy of the new book!

• Gran Day Out

Digby investigates a gang called the Battenburglars, who steal valuables and leave cakes instead. Hacker gets suspicious when they interview an elderly granny.

• Magnetic Attraction

Digby investigates a new police robot.

• Stop Gear

Digby is sent to get a photo of the world's largest biscuit.

• Keep Young and Beautiful

Digby and Hacker investigate a lab where an inventor made an anti-aging cream. They accidentally mess up the mixing process, with terrible results!

• Environ-Mental

The Pilbury Post starts an eco-friendly campaign. Digby tries to reduce greenhouse gases, but his efforts are ruined by someone trying to break a world record.

• Bloomin' Marvellous

Digby competes with Selena Sharp (played by Mina Anwar) to photograph the world's rarest plant, which only flowers once every 100 years.

Season 2 (2010)

• Trying My Patients

Digby breaks his arm and ends up in the hospital. He tries to get a story about a famous footballer, Pedro Ramirez, who is in the same hospital ward.

• Curses Foiled Again

Digby reports on a cursed Egyptian statue at the museum. He's asked to guard an ancient artifact, but someone tries to steal it and frame Digby!

• You Are Feeling Very Sneaky

Digby investigates burglaries. Hacker's practical jokes lead them to a pet therapist, who Digby discovers is hypnotizing pets to steal!

• Army Manoeuvres

Digby goes to an army base, where Hacker overhears a sergeant planning against the colonel.

• Digby and the Viking

Digby finds what he thinks is ancient treasure, but it's actually a criminal's hidden loot. Hacker has to use kung fu to protect Digby from a Viking ghost!

• The Laughing Cavalier

Digby is sent to report on a friendly ghost. He accidentally makes the ghost sad, and Hacker destroys it! Digby has to pretend to be the ghost.

• The Heat Is On

During a heatwave, Digby and Hacker investigate mysterious ice-cream sellers who seem to be causing the hot weather.

• Freeze a Jolly Good Caveman

Hacker accidentally unfreezes a caveman at the museum, leading to chaos at a local party!

• Fangs for the Memory

Digby and Selena Sharp (played by Mina Anwar) compete to interview Britain's oldest man. They have to find his lost false teeth in the sewage system!

• Double Digby

A criminal disguises himself as Digby to get a diamond. Things get complicated when the real Digby shows up at the same hotel for a teddy bear convention.

• Down in the Mouth

A new sweet makes everyone in Pilbury need to see the dentist. Hacker discovers a secret about the mysterious dentist, Dr McCavity.

• Back Tu-dor Future

Digby gets stuck in a portable toilet that's delivered to a historical re-enactment. He thinks he's time-traveled to King Henry VIII's court and tries to stop an execution!

• Court in the Act

Digby is charged with many offenses and his only hope is his main witness, Hacker T Dog.

Season 3 (2011)

• The Big Cat

Digby tries to catch a giant wild cat scaring hens at a farm, only to find it's a tiny, but very fierce, kitten!

• Restaurant Reservation

Digby is mistaken for a food critic and accidentally destroys a chef's special pudding. Hacker tries to fix it before the real critic arrives.

• Going For Gold

Digby tries to save the Pilbury scout hut from being torn down. He hopes to finally earn his gold award badge.

• Seeing Stars

Digby and Hacker take Max's niece to meet a pop star. Digby causes trouble, leading to the pop star being unable to perform.

• Foul Play

Digby overhears a new football player planning to steal transfer money. Digby tries to swap the money, but his plan goes wrong.

• Come in Digby, Your Time's Up

Digby is asked to write about Max's aunt's antique shop. His clumsiness smashes all the antiques, which is exactly what she wanted so she could close the shop!

• Always the Bridesmaid

Digby covers a wedding and accidentally gets icing on the bridal gown. Hacker swallows the wedding ring, leading to a riot!

• Taking Pictures

Digby and Hacker become security guards at an art gallery to catch a thief. Digby wrongly suspects the gallery owner, but the real thief is closer than he thinks.

• First Past the Post

Max is angry when Digby and Hacker skip work. Digby writes a rude letter to Max but then tries to stop it from being delivered.

• Northenders

Digby causes chaos on the set of a TV soap opera. Hacker gets a role, but a jealous co-star sabotages him. Digby tries to save Hacker's job but wipes out a week's worth of episodes!

• Digby's Dilemma

Digby and Hacker check out a dating agency. The owner, Veronica Potts, thinks Digby is rich and tries to get a valuable necklace from him.

• Now That's Magic

Max misunderstands Digby's story idea and thinks Digby wants to run a race. Hacker accidentally handcuffs them together with a magic trick, making things even worse!

• The Digworth Method

Digby has to give a presentation at a college and faces his rival, Selena Sharp (played by Mina Anwar).