WHEN Michael Fox landed his first starring role in the CITV series Little Big Mouth he was over the moon, then he found out that his co-star was a wooden doll.

For six week the 12-year-old from Flackwell Heath played Kevin acting opposite Krystan, a nine-inch humanoid (and the Little Big Mouth of the title) which took up residence in his character's garage in the comedy.

Michael says: "It was quite a strange experience because I was acting with a wooden doll. I would keep talking to it and it would have no emotion.

"At the beginning it was a bit hard and I used to imagine that there was someone there who would react to what I would say. But then it got easier and I really enjoyed it."

Little Big Mouth which was first screened on Wednesday on CITV uses state-of-the-art animation as well as exploring difficult issues in the story lines.

Michael's mum Anne says: "I feel very proud and very excited for him. It's a great confidence builder and he's really enjoyed all the behind-the-scenes work and special effects."

The voice of Krystan was later recorded by Jane Horrocks, so Michael never had the opportunity to play with the actress of Litte Voice.

Michael, who goes to John Hampden Grammar School, started acting at the age of four, says: "I'm very excited about getting a lead role and it's great to watch yourself on TV when you get back from school."

He has previously had speaking roles on TV in shows including Family Affairs but this was his first lead role.

Another Bucks star also had a role in the comedy series.

American born, Ali Harvey from Chalfont St Giles plays Mimi.

She's a pupil at Dr Challoner's High School and has been in England for nine years after moving from Denver, Colarado.

Her father Bill says: "I think it's great because she really enjoys it and has done it all herself without any interference from us."

The seven-part series revolves around Michael's character Kevin, aged ten, whose mother has been killed in a car accident leaving the family devastated.

Into this situation sails Krystan, who is an impulsive character from somewhere under the sea and is highly unpredictable.

Jane Horrocks says: "She's a lively, exuberant character who won't take no for an answer. She sticks up for herself, even against people 10 times bigger than her."

"I liked speaking a peculiar version of English and it made perfect sense to me, like spit scratcher for cat and snorpit for bed."

The character of Krystan was designed by Pepper's Ghost Productions who created a complete virtual character an integrated her into real live action photography.

Research and development director Carl Goodman says: "Motion capture technology is where you take a performer, place seven cameras around her in a studio and about 35 special markers on her body, and record all the information from movements of her body and face.

"We then used a set of tools on the computer to match the performer's movements to those of Krystan."

Michael may have been whisked away from the blackboard and put in front of the clapperboards for a time but he's not thinking too far ahead.

"I don't know what I want I do in the future. I'm only twelve-years-old," he said.

Little Big Mouth is showing daily at 4.40pm on ITV until April 5.