The Den

The Den was the strand of Ireland's public broadcaster RTÉ. It was originally named Dempsey's Den between 1986 to 1990, before being being rebranded in 1990. The first television series to air during the rebrand was the sister series of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Tugs. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends did not air on the strand until 12 September 1996, and the Shining Time Station episode 'Tis a Gift aired for a on time only on 25 December that year. In 1999, The Fat Controller (portrayed by Simon Fisher-Becker) visited The Den, meeting puppets Soky and Dustin the Turkey. During the interview, Soky mentioned the events of The Sad Story of Henry, and incorrectly stated that Gordon was the one who did not want to leave the tunnel, when it was actually Henry. The Fat Controller continues by saying he bricked Gordon up into the tunnel.