I HAVE a new hero. Alan Shearer has had his day and is not nearly as good at punditry as he was at knocking in goals.

Daddy Pig is a role model for boys everywhere. For those who have no excuse to watch children's television, here is a quick profile of the show and the big guy himself.

Daddy is the husband of Mummy Pig and the father of Peppa Pig and George. The television show is mostly about the adventures of Peppa Pig, but she can be a bit of a know-it-all brat. Not in the same league as Mike the Knight, who will hopefully be eaten by a dragon one day, but still a bit of a cleverclogs.

Mummy Pig is a career pig who doesn't feature as heavily as the other characters; she seems a bit distant, if I'm honest, and I'm not sure she ever wanted piglets. There are rumours she drinks too much, but I don't believe them.

For me, the real star is Daddy Pig. He would be the first to admit he's a bit overweight – when the family goes camping, he can't fit in the tent and has to sleep in the car – but he's quite comfortable with his size. He's also not the sharpest – when the Pigs go to buy a Christmas tree, he chooses the biggest which he has to carry home. Although the distance from the tree shop isn't revealed, the family's house lies on top of a hill resembling an upturned tea cup, so just the last few yards would have been a backbreaker.

A trip to a museum reveals more about Daddy Pig's character. While children choose the dinosaurs exhibit as their favourite room, Daddy opts for the cafe. In another episode, Daddy and his friends have a barbecue. Unfortunately, the fire get outs of control and they have to call the fire brigade. The retained crew, which features a sober Mummy Pig, quickly arrive.

All in all, Daddy Pig is affable and incompetent, but ultimately loveable and reliable. A masculine hero for our times.

Let this put to bed once and for all the scurrilous suggestions that the D&S purposefully ignores articles on animated fun for the under-fives.