George from Peppa Pig to be diagnosed as moderately deaf

The storyline will see the character fitted with a hearing aid, in a storyline developed with the National Deaf Children’s Society.

Jodie Ounsley, who is known as Fury in BBC’s Gladiators, will voice George’s audiologist in the episode.

The 25-year-old athlete, who was born deaf and had a cochlear implant as a toddler, said she was “so grateful” to be part of the storyline.

Ounsley said that when her character revealed George’s hearing loss, she felt like she was speaking to her parents, and shared: “I was so young, so I wasn’t aware of this experience, only through what my mum and dad have told me.

“I don’t think I realised how emotional it felt for them in that moment in time. It was quite bizarre to be in that position.

“But even more so, I think it’s why I put more heart into it, because it felt quite real. Hopefully that comes across in the episode, to the parents and kids watching it.”

The history of Peppa Pig and how long it has been running for

Peppa Pig first aired in 2004 and has become a global phenomenon, broadcast in over 180 territories and in over 40 languages.

The show focuses on the life of Peppa, her parents, Daddy Pig and Mummy Pig, her little brother George, and her baby sister Evie, who was born last May.

The new hearing loss storyline was developed in collaboration with the National Deaf Children’s Society and will air on Milkshake from March 9.

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Peppa Pig was co-created by Neville Astley and Mark Baker of the animation studio Astley Baker Davies.

The brand has since inspired theme parks in the UK and abroad and has featured on collectable Royal Mail stamps.

In 2019, the show was acquired by toy company Hasbro following its purchase of Entertainment One’s portfolio.