Nick Park, the creator of Wallace and Gromit, has disclosed that the stop-motion animated dog was initially conceived as a cat. Park, who joined Aardman Animations in 1985, told the BBC that he began modelling Gromit as a feline companion for Wallace but found it too challenging, leading him to create a dog instead.
The revelation coincides with Aardman Animations marking its 50th anniversary. The studio, founded in Bristol in 1976 by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, is also known for characters like Morph and Shaun the Sheep.
To celebrate the milestone, a number of exhibitions are taking place, including at M Shed in Bristol and the Young V&A in east London. Additionally, original Aardman models, including Wallace, Gromit, and the villain Feathers McGraw, are being auctioned. Bidding for over 220 lots, each starting at £100, began on 4 September and will conclude with a live event on 24 September. Proceeds from the auction will be invested in talent development initiatives at Aardman.