Who's Who

This beautiful German Shepherd was an Angel. He was found by the police walking the streets of ‘Newcastle upon Tyne’ in 2007 He came to live with ‘Steve’ and he protected and cared for all the animals that lived in the home. One day an RSPCA inspector brought an animal to the house and noticed how ‘Saviour’ welcomed and cared for it. The inspector remarked “It’s like ‘Saviours’ haven in here” and that is where the sanctuary got its name ‘Saviour’ welcomed ‘Zante’ into the family straight away and reared ‘Zante’ as if he were his own; the two of them were best friends until ‘Saviour’ sadly passed away in 2016

‘Zante’ moved in with ‘Steve’ in 2014 when he was only 7 weeks old. He had been captive bred for a film company who postponed filming when he was 6 weeks old. ‘Saviour’ was the first to greet him and they became inseparable until ‘Saviour’ sadly passed away in 2016. Zante loves playing in the house and cuddling up to ‘Rosie & Belle’, as well as ‘Yin’ the cat. He goes everywhere with ‘Steve’ and loves the attention and cuddles. He touches the heart of everyone that meets him. He will always be the baby of the family.

These two little fur babies moved in with the family in October 2022 when their devoted owner sadly passed away. ‘Rosie’ was then 9yrs of age and ‘Belle’was 8 year old. ‘Zante’ met them straight away and they instantly took to each other. In the films they are like two grumpy old people but in real life they are sweet and loving. They both snuggle up in bed with ‘Yin’ the cat and ‘Steve’ at night- They have so much love to give and get twice as much in return.

This ‘Green Winged Macaw’ is came to live with them in 2006 as a chick, She was reared by the family but then turned to ‘Steve’ as a companion and now only he can get close to her. The two of them are best friends and the bond between them is easy to see. She is ‘Steves’ baby and she knows it. In the stories ‘Harpo’ is the motherly figure that stands up for ‘Zante’ and corrects ‘Smudge’ when he does wrong’ ‘Harpo’ loves the interaction and loves being involved on set even when she’s not involved ‘

If any of these beautiful characters have made an impact then it is ‘Smudge’ the rabbit. He is the cheeky, rude, sarcastic one that is always picking on the others and is constantly being told off by ‘Harpo’. He is a master of dirty looks and you can clearly tell what he is thinking ‘Smudge’ moved in with the family during 2019 when a shop asked ‘Steve’ to take him, as he was getting too big to sell. Nobody wanted him. As soon as he saw ‘Steve’ he jumped straight up at him, ‘Steve’ caught him, gave him a kiss and a cuddle and then took him home. The following day ‘Steve’ was told that ‘Smudge’ would jump up and bite everyone which is why he could not be sold as a pet. Deep down ‘Smudge’ has a heart of gold and his loving personality is second to none The books and scripts are mainly down to ‘Smudge’ he sets the scene and basically writes his own lines when his personality and charisma comes shining through.

‘Yin’ the cat entered their lives in 2016 when he and his brother ‘Yang’ moved in as kittens. ‘Yin’ was always the one that would shy away from company, until ‘Rosie’ & ‘Belle’ arrived. He now snuggles up with ‘Steve’ and the dogs in bed at night and loves the cuddles whenever he demands it.

‘Yin’ is never written into any books or films but if he occasionally comes to investigate what is going on, then he is included and written in.

These adorable Chinchillas were given to ‘Steve’ by a close friend. They had been rescued from a Chinchilla farm and moved in with their 2 brothers who sadly passed away over the years. One through old age and the other at the vets when he developed a tumor on his mouth.

‘Rocky’ is very fast and prefers to keep himself to himself so joins in if and when he wants to. ‘Cookie’ is a little princess and loves exploring the sets and props, After photos are taken ‘Steve’ will lie on the floor to edit the photographs, ‘Cookie’ will jump onto his chest and watch what he is doing whilst being stroked and gently cuddled. When playing in the house her best friend is ‘Buddy’ the rabbit. The two of them follow each other around and then snuggle up together.

Compared to ‘Smudge’, ‘Buddy’ the rabbit is quite often over looked in the books, He is always relaxed, very loving and gets on with everyone. He came to live with the family when the family he had wanted him to have a better life.

‘Squeak’ the rat joined the family at the beginning of 2022 with his 3 brothers. He took over from the original ‘Squeak’ who passed away at the end of 2021 Rats are very intelligent and love exploring, because of this ‘Squeak’ is always one step ahead and like ‘Smudge’ he tends to change the story and film plot as soon as he appears.

If ever there was an Earth Angel then this was it. ‘TJ’ moved in with ‘Steve’ the day after ‘Steve’s’ close friend ‘Tony Junior’ passed away. ‘Tony’ was an amazing magician and entertainer who was loved by all. ‘TJ’ moved in with his 5 brothers and as a tribute to ‘Tony’, ‘Steve’ asked if he could base ‘TJ’s character on his dear friend. In the books ‘TJ’ used to be a magician that toured the country performing at holiday venues. His cars registration plate, tricks and guitar are actually photo copies of ‘Tony’s’ In real life ‘TJ’ the rat was the most gentle, loving, caring soul to ever walk the earth. He would literally run up to ‘Steve’ as soon as he saw him and put his front legs up to be picked up and cuddled. He licked ‘Steve’ constantly showing affection. ‘TJ’ went everywhere with ‘Steve’ Sadly ‘TJ’ passed away through old age on November 20th 2023, He was almost 3 years of age. The Christmas book ‘Happy New Year’ is dedicated to ‘Tony Junior’ and ‘TJ’ the rat… Both of them sadly missed and forever in our hearts.

She is a beautiful captive bred Barn Owl who came to live with the family in 2014, She was rescued from unspeakable conditions by ‘Steve’s’ friend. In the books she is the over seer and the boss. She knows what is right and what is wrong. When she tells ‘Smudge’ off he behaves. In real life she is very territorial but loves sitting on ‘Steve’s lap when he is on the computer. She shows him so much affection.

This Angelic ‘Java’ dove hatched at their house. ‘Steve had rescued 22 ‘Java’ doves in 1988. In 2006 one of them laid an egg which hatched, Valentine actually lives in ‘Steve’s bedroom and sits with him watching TV and helping herself to food off his plate. She comes to all the educational talks with him and loves the attention. In the books she too is a caring angelic motherly figure.

This beautiful Guinea Pig moved in with 3 siblings a couple of years ago. Squeek is very confident and loves to be involved constantly by ‘Smudges’ side when on set. The two of them make a fantastic comedy double act.

‘Crispie’ the duck came to live with the family with her sister in 2012. Sadly her sister passed away of old age a few years ago. They were handed in by a farmer who was worried about their safety as their siblings had all been taken in the night. ‘Crispie’ loves coming in and joining in with the others and spending time in her garden and two duck ponds.

‘Alfie’ the cat was born in 2007 as the runt of the litter and only just survived. His best friend was ‘Saviour’ and the two of them were inseparable. Like ‘Yin’ the cat, ‘Alfie’ was only included in the stories when he wanted to be, If he wandered onto set then he was written in. Alfie was a soft hearted, gentle little soul who sadly passed away at the end of 2023 aged almost 16 His parting left a massive hole in our hearts but thanks to the stories he will always live on.

This soft natured Corn Snake moved in with everyone in 2019. His owner started university and asked ‘Steve’ to take him. ‘Freddie’ loves the attention and does all the educational shows. In the stories ‘Freddie’ has a very soft voice and talks with a lisp.

This cute, adorable, little African Pygmy Hedgehog came to live with ‘Zante Fox and Friends’ in 2022 He was given to them by someone who loved hedgehogs and was worried that nobody else would want him because of his age In the stories, ‘Eugene’ is very pompous and speaks with a posh voice.

Such a beautiful African Grey She joined the family in 2018 when her owners moved abroad Her favourite words now are “ “Love you” and “Hello” However when she first arrived her language was disgusting and she taught the other parrots words that cannot be repeated.

This little Horsefield Tortoise moved in a few years ago. She came from a tortoise rescue which sadly closed down to lack of funds. In the stories she speaks with a very slow midlands accent.

‘Flower’ the meerkat was a little angelic princess She came to live with them when she was only 7 weeks old. Her litter had been attacked and she was the only survivor Her bond with ‘Steve’ was like no other. In the books she was a motherly figure who watched out for everyone, she took care of the meals and the garden. She passed away in ‘Steve’s’ arms at the vets after suffering a heart attack caused by a blood clot at the beginning of 2022. It hit Steve so badly that he too ended up in hospital. “If only animals lived as long as we do” Little ‘Flower’ always in our hearts.

These two beautiful boys came to live with ‘Steve’ a few years before ‘Zante’ arrived Zoltar was a ‘Silver Fox’ and ‘Zeus’ was a ‘Platinum Fox’ Zante moved in with them when he was about 6 months old, Sadly they have both passed away over the years but are never forgotten and always loved.

This sweet, little Rainbow Lorikeet moved in a few years ago when she got dropped off on the doorstep of one of ‘Steve’s friends. At first she was thought to be a boy but then after living with ‘Steve’ for a few months she started laying eggs. Her favourite words are “love you” “kiss Bobby” and whistling the ‘Laurel and Hardy’ theme tune whenever ‘Steve’ walks past.

This little Praire dog moved in with his brother and sister who sadly passed away a couple of years before he did. Gus loved to play with the other animals and was so affectionate.

This amazing European Eagle Owl came to live with the family with her brother ‘Izzy Wizzy’ in 2007 when they were just a few weeks old. Their identification rings had been put on in the wrong place and where cutting in through to the bone. They spent the first few days at the vets after having to be operated on. ‘Teeny Tiny’ was always so gentle but ‘Izzy Wizzy’ was very territorial and only ‘Steve’ could enter their enclosure. In 2021 ‘Steve had to have an operation which meant going into hospital. Nobody else could enter their enclosure to feed them so ‘Steve had to do what was best for the birds. ‘Teeny Tiny’ and ‘Izzy Wizzy’ went to live with a loving falconer in a large aviary so that they could always be together.

Arrived when she was 8 weeks old. Such a beautiful little girl who was raised by ‘Saviour’ In 2020 laws changed regarding raccoons as she was no longer allowed to leave her enclosure. Steve took her to live with a good friend who ran a raccoon rescue centre and she was able to meet and live with other raccoons until she passed away in 2022.

This cute and adorable little Skunk was so soft and cuddly. He loved running around the house and cuddling in with ‘Saviour’ the German Shepherd. He passed away at the age of 10yrs old.

In the books and films ‘Steve’ is the hard done to animal lover, always cleaning and always looking after ‘Zante Fox and Friends’ In real life, it is exactly the same. He devotes his whole life to his beautiful animal family.

Steve started off as an actor training at the Old Birmingham Rep theatre school from the age of 4 and a half. He made his first TV appearance as an actor at the age of 9 and then broke into magical cabaret in his early 20’s. He was taught slapstick comedy by the unforgettable, legendry movie star ‘Norman Wisdom’ As an illusion act ‘Steve’ toured the theatres supporting some of the biggest names in show business. He then toured for many years with a comedy magic act called ‘Steve Lucock and Snotty the rabbit’ which included magic, comedy, fire eating and much more. Steve has also written pantomimes and over the year has produced many shows that toured the north east. He has worked on and in TV not only as an actor but also as an animal wrangler with his rescued animal family. Due to rescuing animals and his life with them, Steve has been the subject of many worldwide documentaries. Steve has also written many books based on ‘Zante Fox and Friends’ as well as writing, starring in and co producing/directing the ‘Zante Fox’ films with ‘Nigel Harvey'.

Is a pompous character that never gets anything finished. Always calling in uninvited and is forever eating. He is played by the legendary ‘Nigel Harvey’ who is highly respected for his top of the bill cabaret status. Nigel started show business at a young age when, under the guidance of the legendary Keith Harris, he became a ventriloquist. Nigel made many TV appearances with his comedy vent act and then toured as top of the bill as ‘Naughty Nigel with Ben and Sox’

Nigel studied at the ‘Electric Theatre Studios’ in Barnsley and achieved an ‘A’ Level in both Art and Theatre Studies. He has much sort after comedy actor and has performed in many Pantomimes as Comic, Dame, Ugly Sister and even the Baddie! ‘Nigel Harvey’ not only stars in the ‘Zante’ films but also co produces and directs them with ‘Steve Lucock’ as well as doing all the editing and creative work.

Leanne is Steve’s younger Sister in the films. She keeps an eye on him and is always there to pick up the broken pieces and then tell him off, She works as a private gym instructor in the daytime and works as a dancer doing cabaret on various evenings.

In real life she is played by Leanne Errington. She is an accomplished actress and all round entertainer. She has appeared at many of the top holiday venues, theatres, as well as corporate functions. Leanne has also worked all over the world supporting some of the world’s top bands, groups and pop stars.

Lila plays Leanne’s daughter and Steve niece. She is forever getting into trouble caused by the animals and is often the reason that her ‘Uncle Steve’ has so many mishaps In real life Lila-Rose lives to perform.

She trains at ‘Stages School Of Dance’ specialising in ballet, tap, modern, freestyle, acro and musical theatre. She is also a member of the ‘North East Vocal Academy’.

Her Theatre credits include Pantomime’s at the ‘Whitley Bay Playhouse’ as well as starring in such theatre productions as, ‘Annie’, ‘Sound of Music’, ‘School Of Rock’ and ‘Gypsy’

When filming ‘Zante Fox and Friends’ with ‘Lila-Rose’ around, there is never a dull moment, everyday is a holiday and she keeps the laughter going. The animals and cast love her.