Bluey stars didn’t meet for FOUR YEARS despite success – as they reveal all on special episode, movie and celeb guests

BLUEY is back – bigger and bouncier than ever. A special episodeThe Signis on its way to CBeebies and drops Easter Friday.

The much-loved show, which started in 2018, showcases the voicetalents of Dave McCormack as Dad (Bandit) and Melanie Zanetti as Mum (Chilli).

The voices behind Bluey's parents have opened up about their experiences playing the characters – and what's in store for the Aussie icon.

Thean energetic and imaginative puppy known for her curiosity.

The title character – an Australian Cattle Dog – lives with her Mum, Dad and little sister Bingo.

Usually, episodes air for seven minutes, however, a 28-minute special .

In the story, the Heelers' family home is up for sale and Bluey is unhappy.

Also making returns are Patrick Brammall asthe voiceof Uncle Rad alongside MeganWashingtonas Calypso, Claudia O’Doherty as Frisky, Myf Warhurst as Trixie; and Rose Byrne as Brandy.

Making theirBlueyvoice debuts are Rove McManus, Deborah Mailman, Brendan Williams and Joel Edgerton.

Melanie – aka Chilli – spoke about the celebrity guests on the show including Eva Mendes, and star Lin-Manuel Miranda.

On The Sign star Rose Byrne, Melanie said: “We record separately but I met Rose at the Peabody Awards: Bluey won one, she presented the category and I accepted the award. She’s so lovely.”

She added: “I was supposed to meet Lin-Manuel. He came to Brisbane and met the rest of the team but I was in the US.

“He was the one I was really excited about; I just think he's so brilliant and Joe and him meeting felt like a bit of a genius meet genius situation. One day!”

She continued: “Bill SkarsgÃ¥rd was talking about Bluey in an interview and I’d just watched him in Nosferatu. I was like, ‘Wow, it really is for everyone. And I saw Billy Joel's kids had a Bluey party. It’s everywhere!”

Despite the show's worldwide success, actors Dave – aka dad Bandit – and Melanie only met up a few years ago.

She explained: “At the end of 2022, which was so bizarre because it felt like I'd known him for a long time. We first met for real life at Madison Square Gardens watching Bluey’s Big Play.

“Now I've spent a bit of time with Dave, he’s not only such a legend but he is like Bandit.”

Dave added: “I only met Melanie a couple of years ago because for quite a while, we didn't even interact.

“Then we spoke on the phone and then met in for Tonight, which was surreal. It was fantastic to be there at the same time and say, ‘Hey, how you doing?’”

He expressed how delighted he is with the longer version of Bluey – The Sign and said: “It felt great, I was really excited.

“They gave it to us in two halves so in the first half, I didn't know how it was going to end, which maybe they did on purpose to help me as a non-actor so I didn't know what way it was going.

“I thought they're going to sell the house, they’re moving, this is tumultuous! But then it all wraps up in a beautiful heartfelt, tender moment. So it was good to have a bit more time.

“It's sort of like the Pulp Fiction of children's television with all these different characters and stories happening.”

On other A-listers getting on board the Bluey train, he said: “Ryan Gosling’s wife Eva Mendes was in an episode and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

“I don't get to meet them as I record in and they do most of it in Brisbane.”

He continued: “Any person's exciting. I've got a list of who I'd like to have on the show, like and King Charles. You can see I'm aiming pretty big!

“I think it's amazing that these proper famous people even know about the show and then want to be in it. Billy Joel likes it – that's massive.”

On the upcoming movie, Melanie shared: “It's all very early days with that but I do think it's good preparation. The Sign felt like the next step towards a movie and I'm so excited that all of the UK are going to have the opportunity to watch its free-to-air premiere on CBeebies very soon.

“It had such success internationally and was a really good marker as to how the movie would be received, which I'm thrilled about. Joe Brumm the creator is such a brilliant writer and I'm sure it’ll be no different, just on a grander scale.”

As well as The Sign, 13 Bluey episodes new to CBeebies will be available on CBeebies andBBC iPlayerfrom April 7.

Among these are Ghostbasketand Surprise,which can be watched alongside The Sign as part of a trilogy.

Bluey airs daily on CBeebies and all episodes are also available to watch on .

The Sign premieres on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer on 18th April (Good Friday).