It's amazing. I'm so honoured that the little idea I had all those years ago has become so close to people's hearts. The scary thing is how it all seems to have happened only recently. I've had regular jobs that blurred into a big smeary mess, but the amazing thing about having created something that has grown into a global brand is that all of the experiences have been so new and adventurous and fresh, it's all so memorable. I am so fortunate. Also, it's fantastic that I don't have to drive to work. That daily commute was hideous. If I ever have to get a day job again, I'll try and find something I can walk to.

Do you have a best moment and worst moment from your Bad Taste Bear career?

I try not to dwell on negatives, so will swiftly skip over the administration of Piranha Studios. The response from everyone when they thought the bears were going to disappear was achingly painful. Phew!

Highlights - well, where to begin? One memorable moment was after the obscenely long signing at Gateshead, the seemingly endless piss I took in the car park. Sooooo good.

The individual triumphs are a joy. When Frances McCall overcame a whole list of phobias to come and get a hug at that signing in Gateshead. Vanessa bringing her dad and long suffering mum to the signings. Actually, the signings were a brilliant opportunity to meet what has become my extended family.

Will you be doing anything to celebrate on a personal level?

With so many collectible ranges falling by the wayside in recent years, Ty Beanies and even the untouchable Me to You range being prime examples of declining markets, what do you think keeps attracting consumers to Bad Taste Bears ten years after their launch?

Have you ever had that "argh, I've got to draw another bloody bear" moment?  If so, what do you do to pull yourself through it and deliver the finished product?

Can you tell us anything about other projects or ideas that you're working on that aren't Bad Taste Bear related?  Do you find these projects a welcome distraction from Bad Taste Bears, and ultimately something that enables you to stay bear motivated?

Since before the first Bad Taste Bear was released, I've been gathering ideas for stories for children. Most of them could be considered as being just an excuse to produce illustrations. The first of these stories to be made into a book was 'The Boy with an Axe in his Head'. Written in verse, it's the story of a boy whose life alters after getting an axe accidentally stuck in his head. It's got a happy ending, honest. There are a whole string of books I want to complete, time permitting.

Another project I've become involved with is working as a director of a community interest Company called Creative Hinckley. As a group, we represent and promote the professional creative community in and around the area I live here in Leicestershire. Part of the project is converting a Victorian hosiery factory into a centre for creative businesses with workshops, studios, performance space, meeting rooms etc., etc. I'm even on a committee! I've never been in such a grown up and responsible group. Committees are for people that know what they're doing. I'm a bit more random than that, which is probably why I'm enjoying every minute I spend on it. The weird thing is, I have no plans to take studio space or any vested interest in the project. All a bit altruistic, I guess. I do various other things with my abilities, which provides respite from bear art, when most needed.

It's been well documented over the years about how you approach the design of Bad Taste Bears, and what your various influences are when conceiving your bears.  However, does anything stand out as a unique or individual moment of inspiration when compared to your more usual ways of working?

The creation of Mel was a typical flash of inspiration. I'd been dragged to my least favourite garden centre on the entire planet - Hayes in Ambleside, and Dawn has scampered off to do some nonsense or other and Lewis and me were just a pair of lost blokes with nothing of interest to keep us entertained. It was then that I spied a display of seashells. There were these particularly breast-like shells, in a convincing flesh colour. Naturally, I grabbed the biggest pair I could find, held them up and said to Lewis "hey, what do you think to these" and gave them a bit of a jiggle.That got me thinking about how guys, given the opportunity and the right props will regularly do the obvious, no matter what situation. It's in our genes or something. Imagine stone age man picking up a couple of hairy mammoth turds and giving them a jiggle and getting the glare from Mrs Ug and told to behave. So, I drew a couple of bears with fruit - One with a banana and two plums and another with two melons. The rest, as they say....

What does an average day in the life of Peter Underhill look like, if there is such a thing?

On the occasions you get down time from your working life, how do you relax and enjoy yourself?

If I'm totally prevented from doing anything arty, I'd love to get my rucksack and trudge around the Lake District - maybe sneak in a sketchbook and pen or pencil. Dawn hates camping, so it means I'd go alone. Having said that. I've not got away alone for a couple of years at least. For family holidays we grab a week here and there and take our kayaks
to the Lakes - we have one each, and potter about on sleepy Ullswater.

I don't like hot, beach holidays. I think they're a dreadful waste of time that I could be drawing. Someone asked me a few weeks ago what I'd do if I didn't need to work. Without a second thought, I said "I'd paint". I tried proper oil painting last Christmas, purely for pleasure, no deadline, no judgement or client requirements and it was fabulous. I could do some of that if I got a chance. But until then, I gotta keep doing what this particular tigger does best.

What do you consider has been your best idea for a bear that will never be put into production because of the potential backlash?

Crikey, you have a good memory - or a good filing system. I'd like an opportunity of walking along a line of the bears I've done, like X-Factor auditions, certain ones would leap out. Still those five you mention would figure highly but there would be more that I'd pick out. Whether I like a particular figurine can have various factors - the idea itself, if I enjoyed the drawing, if the sculpt was loyal to the drawing, Certainly the Bear 13 shapes were great fun to do and most of those would be in my final selection. One day, I'll have to draw up a list of superstars but that would do a disservice to all the others that didn't make the list.

I don't know if you've noticed, but when drawing winning tickets for raffle prizes etc. I get uneasy. That's because in making one winner, I create a hell of a lot more losers, which makes me uncomfortable. Choosing favourite bears would be like rejecting all of the
supporting cast in favour of the 'stars' they have all played their part - even the less loved ones - and my life is enriched because of it. I was tempted to say  the word 'richer' there but there was a time I jokingly referred to my non-existent villa and was accused of
flaunting my vast wealth, so decided against it. Enriched, but not richer. I'd be wealthier if I had a regular day job, but I'd be miserable.

We'd like to offer our sincere gratitude to Pete for taking time out of his busy schedule and for taking part in our interview, it's very much appreciated. We're really pleased to hear that you're just as inspired as ever, and that there seems to be a future for Bad Taste Bears that's every bit as exciting as the past.

If you'd like to read and learn more about the other projects involving and including the man behind Bad Taste Bears, you can do so at:

www.peterunderhill.com
www.chocolatestarfish.com