Dick and Dom in da Shropshire schools
[gallery] Children's TV favourites Dick and Dom swapped their bungalow for two schools in Shropshire as they dropped in to teach the children some new words.
The pair, who are known for their silly games and gunge-filled television show on CBBC, were in Shropshire to promote their new book, but took the opportunity to spread silliness to Woodside School in Oswestry and Ellesmere Primary School.
Dick and Dom – real names Richard McCourt and Dominic Wood – were invited to the county by Booka bookshop in Oswestry as part of a tour to promote their new book, Dick and Dom's Slightly Naughty but Very Silly Words.
A welcoming party of children, accompanied by the school teddy bear and a few teachers, greeted the pair as they arrived at Woodside yesterday.
While Dick ran off to the loo, Dom kept the kids entertained with some sleight of hand magic tricks, and as soon as his partner-in-crime returned they took a walk to the school car park to say hello to a pupil who had hurt himself the previous day and had come in especially to meet his favourite celebrities.
"It's always nice to come and meet the people who are going to be buying the book," Dom said. "You get to see the reactions as you read bits out to them and find out what they find funny."
The book is a collection of silly words which sound rude but aren't.
"We've been using these words since we were kids. It's something every single kid does," Dom said.
"Some parents will look at this and go 'oh', but it's more what we do on TV. It all has a very similar feel to that.
"It's the same sort of humour as Dennis the Menace and Horrid Henry.
"We're really proud of this because it's the first book we've written independently. We think it will make a perfect stocking filler for the kids to giggle over while mum and dad get Christmas dinner ready."
As well as reading some of the words from their book to pupils, they also hosted a game show in the school hall, pitting the children against each other in a series of events which included action songs, naming celebrities to music and drawing pictures.
Year 4 pupil Lily Jones, eight, was the winner of the celebrity naming competition. "It was an amazing experience," she said. "I was nervous but I really enjoyed it. I'm a big fan. I never thought I'd get to meet them or be able to play their games."
The visit tied in with Woodside School's year of writing. Louise Jones, who is organising the year's events, said visits like Dick and Dom's help to inspire children.
She said: "It's been absolutely amazing, a fantastic morning. We were told to expect the unexpected. The kids were really excited and have been really excited for the last month since we told them who was coming. The teachers have been excited too.
"Last year we did a year of reading and had lots of authors in to talk to the kids, so this year we thought we'd incorporate that into a year of writing.
"Dick and Dom's book is great. It's a bit like Roald Dahl – he came up with wonderful words as well. We're trying to instil this in the children, that anyone can be a writer, and writing can be fun."
Dick and Dom returned to Oswestry for a book signing event at Booka, where more than 200 children met the pair.
Dick and Dom are primarily known for presenting the double BAFTA Award winning Dick and Dom in da Bungalow.
Some of Dick and Dom's favourite words:
Futtocs the feeling when you step on a piece of Lego
Umbutu a small aunt who gives you money
Umbabba a large aunt who always has sweets
Umbacca an aunt who resembles an intergalactic hairy alien
Filthy igloo when you trump under the duvet
Musty troutwarbler an aged teacher who cant keep control of his class
Dobbawoofsinit a person who has trumped and blamed the dog
Germ rain the little bits of spit that some teachers do when theyre talking
