A MUCH-LOVED children’s picture book being brought to life on BBC One on Christmas Day has been produced with the help of an Aberaeron man.

Daryl Shute, 40, who went to Aberaeron School before attending the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, has helped produce a half-hour children’s film based on the Stick Man book, written by renowned children’s author and former Children’s Laureate, Julia Donaldson.

After a short stint acting in Welsh-language soap opera, Pobol y Cwm in 2000, in which he played character Dwayne Richards, Daryl turned his hand to production work and hasn’t looked back having worked for production company Magic Light Pictures for almost 10 years and has helped produce Oscar and BAFTA-nominated kids films The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child and Room on the Broom.

Speaking to the Cambrian News, Daryl, who now lives in London, said: “I was convinced I wanted to be an actor and it was great fun, and to be able to have the option of Welsh language work was a great advantage.

“But I suppose being an actor can be a slightly rocky road and my passion was always film.”

Daryl himself was able to be with some of his family at the premiere of the Stick Man in London’s Piccadilly earlier this month.

Stick Man will show on BBC One at 4.45pm on Christmas Day, and will be available on demand afterwards on BBC iPlayer.

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