David Walliams and Rochelle Humes 'thrilled' to join new series of Teletubbies

Both stars will announce "Time for Teletubbies" on the hit children's TV show. Credit: PA and AP

David Walliams and Rochelle Humes have landed roles in latest series of the classic children's TV show Teletubbies.

Both stars will play a voice trumpet, which pops out of the ground and announces: "Time for Teletubbies".

Their appearance comes 20 years after Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po - the creatures with antennas on their heads and TV screens on their stomachs - made their debut.

The original show, which was produced between 1997-2001, was seen by around one billion children. Credit: PA

Walliams, an actor and Britain's Got Talent judge, said: "It's really thrilling to be asked to take part in Teletubbies.

"It was just too good a thing to turn down."

Humes, the former Saturdays singer turned TV host, said: "I've always been such a big fan of the Teletubbies.

"My sister and I used to watch it together when we were younger and as I now have a little girl, it was a real 'no-brainer' to be part of it. I jumped at the chance to be involved."

The Teletubbies, clockwise from top, Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Po and Laa-Laa in a publicity picture from 1998. Credit: AP/Ragdoll Productions

Teletubbies was relaunched in 2015 with a "contemporary look" after production of new episodes ended in 2001.

The latest series added the must-have 21st century gadget - a mobile-style phone - and gave the Teletubbies "touch screen tummies."

Walliams and Humes will now star alongside Fearne Cotton, Jim Broadbent and Jane Horrocks, who also lent their voices to the first series in the show's comeback.

The original show, which produced the chart-topping single Teletubbies Say Eh-oh!, was seen by around one billion children in over 100 countries.