the character of Simon's Cats is definitely inspired by my own four cats.

Well, first off there's Jess.

And she's a little tortoise shell.

She is quite clingy

and when I'm in the house she's never more than a couple of feet away from me

and she will follow me around and whine for attention and food.

Um...

which can be a little annoying sometimes but I do love her to bits.

I have a real soft spot for Jess

because she's been with me for so long.

Next up there's Maisy.

Maisy is a huge great big white and grey spotted tabby,

who is absolutely gorgeous to look at.

Um... she's a rescue cat and can be a little frosty sometimes

especially with the others come feeding time.

But, she is a big softy... really.

Then there's Hugh!

Hugh is a big fat black cat, who, again he's very lovable.

He has very lovely, thick, dense fur, which the others don't have.

Which makes him very cuddly.

He is very affectionate in the mornings, before he gets fed basically.

It's probably Hugh actually who is the main inspiration for Simon's Cat because,

it was him that gave me the idea when he was a kitten.

Teddy is the new member of the family and again,

he's another rescue cat.

He was found in a box.

And when I heard the story of the way he was found,

I had to take him in.

But now, since then, he's grown in to this huge great cat,

with a huge great big fluffy tail

that sweeps the ground as he walks around so he's er,

he's quite a character Teddy.

And he's a real sweet heart as well!