It’s not just kids who have fallen in love with Big Howard and Little Howard. See for yourself in Burnley on April 20 and Kendal on June 18.

For the uninitiated, Big Howard is the grown up and Little Howard is the animated six-year-old.

Their adventures and their often sparky relationship have become essential viewing on CBBC and their live shows have built up a devoted following of all ages.

For Easter this unlikely duo will be calling at Burnley Mechanics with The Magic Pencil of Life and Death.

But even though it has been timed for the school holidays, Howard Read (Big Howard) will not be surprised to see many adults in the audience.

“We do get adults coming along to the show without any children,” he said.

“It’s good that they aren’t ashamed to be seen in the audience.

"Actually, we have a growing number of fans aged 18-35 but that’s great as it shows that everyone gets the show from a different angle.

“The relationship between a young child and an adult offers so much scope.”

On stage Little Howard appears by the magic of modern technology.

For the new production there’ll even be a CGI version and 3D version on stage.

“As the straight man it’s quite restrictive as I have to get my part right.

"Little Howard never has an off day so it’s only me who can let the side down.

“We’ve been doing the show for eight or nine years now and at the beginning computers weren’t as good as they are now.

"We did have one or two embarrassing crashes then but, touch wood, we’ve been fine since.”

As well as working with his animated sidekick, Howard is also a highly successful stand-up comedian.

“That’s when I can get the swearing out of the way,” he laughed.

“I don’t resent Little Howard in any way. Because we’re doing something that no-one else is we have been invited all over the world, which I know as a stand-up would never have happened.

“Plus we’ve done loads of TV and have a really great following.

“The more we do the more the relationship with Little Howard grows and we are just seeing how far we can take it all the time.”

* LIttle Howard And The Magic Pencil Of Life And Death, Burnley Mechanics, Wednesday, April 20, 2pm, 01282 664400; Kendal Brewery Arts Centre, Saturday, June 18, 2pm, 01539 725 133.