Arrogance is not a trait, we would usually associate with our DS Icons. Typically, they are humble sorts, who are blissfully unaware of the joy they bring to our everyday lives. However, this week's Icon is a little different, and he warrants the 'superstar' title that he often used to add to the end of his own name. He is credited with saving the bacon of TV-am with his irreverent humour and witty presenting style and he also enjoyed a short-lived pop career between 1983 and 1985. Who is this guy we speak about? It's Roland Rat, of course.
Along with his pals Glenis the guinea pig, Errol the hamster and number one rat fan Kevin the gerbil, Roland was a subversive, rebellious figure during the height of Thatcherism. For kids growing up at the time, the uber-cool rodent was a role model, who didn't stand for a single iota of crap from absolutely anybody. With his own bright pink (Roland was in touch with his feminine side) Ratmobile, a chatshow hosted at his Ratcave, and a seemingly endless list of merchandising spinoffs - a ZX Spectrum computer game, pop single smash ‘Rat Rapping’ - he built his own empire of cool. For that alone, Roland we salute you!
Click along our gallery below for some classic Roland Rat snaps:
