Elvis Cridlington

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Background Information

First appearance

The Kite (1987)

Creator(s)

Rob Lee

Actor

Voice Actor

John Alderton (1987-1994)
John Sparkes (2005-2007)
Steven Kynman (2008-present)
Andrew Hodwitz (US; 2014-2020)

Overview

Name

Elvis Cridlington

Title

Elvis Cridlington

Nicknames

Cridlington (by Steele)

Gender

Male

Residence

Pontypandy

Biographical Background

Occupation

Firefighter
- Mess manager

Hair Colour

Black

Eye Colour

Blue

Brown (in early books)

Relatives

Unnamed mother

Unnamed grandmother

Jerry Lee Cridlington (cousin)

Elvis Cridlington is one of the firefighters at Pontypandy Fire Station as well as one of the main characters in the Fireman Sam franchise. He has also been assigned the position of station mess manager. He is the cousin of Jerry Lee Cridlington, son of Mrs. Cridlington, and grandson of Granny Cridlington.

Basic Training[]

Newtown Fire Academy

Biography[]

Series 1-4[]

Elvis Cridlington was presumably born and raised in Pontypandy by a single mother. Growing up, he always dreamed of becoming a firefighter someday. A few years later, upon completing his secondary school education, he began his firefighter training at the Newtown Fire Academy.

When he completed training, he returned to Pontypandy and joined the Pontypandy Fire Service.

His cousin, Jerry Lee Cridlington is also a firefighter and is based at the Newtown Fire Station.

At the start of Series 1, Elvis is a rookie firefighter and the newest member of the Pontypandy Fire Station. He started his career as Fireman Sam's apprentice and throughout the original series he picked up on a lot of finer points of the job such as realising firefighters do more than just putting out fires (which includes moving a telephone pole in the episode The Kite).

1bc34c7c40b481c426f17e4715f0cbf09e043642(1) — Elvis in the original series

Elvis drove Jupiter for the first time in the Series 1 episode Camping and drove it in three further episodes during the original series.

In Series 3, Elvis was shown to have a crush on visiting firefighter Penny Morris, although it was unknown if she felt the same way. From Series 4 onwards, however, his crush on Penny is seemingly gone.

Series 5[]

Throughout Series 5, Elvis showed a tendency to not pay attention in training drills and unlike the rest of the crew, he lacked awareness on fire hazards. For example, in A Real Live Wire, he nearly throws water over a burning TV without turning off the power first being stopped by Sam in the nick of time. However, he is still a valued member of the team, even giving Norman advice on how to be careful with candles in the episode Mummy's Little Pumpkin.

Series 6-onwards[]

By Series 6, however, he is now a perfectly competent firefighter, as shown in the opening episode of Series 7 Blow Me Down where he completes a rescue on his own for the first time by rescuing Station Officer Steele from the Flood's roof.

His relationship with Sam is shown to have evolved into a good friendship; However, Elvis does still count on him for a lot of safety advice and firefighting tips. During The Great Fire of Pontypandy, Elvis risks his own life by leaping across to save Sam from getting hit by a burning branch, showing he will do anything for the people he cares about. For this self act and guiding the people of Pontypandy out of the forest, Elvis accomplishes his dream of earning The Medal of Outstanding Bravery (which is the highest honour available to any firefighter in all of Wales). However more importantly to him he earns the respect of his mentor/best friend who calls him "a true hero".

In the Series 8 episode To Outfox a Fox, Elvis earns his advanced driving certificate and is now able to legally drive any vehicle belonging to the rescue service.

Elvis who had been an avid fan of Rock'n'Roll from his childhood and plays the guitar. In Series 6 it is revealed that he and Mike Flood have formed their own band. Since then the two put themselves forward to play whenever the opportunity rises and Elvis is regularly seen trying to come up with new song ideas (generally about the happenings around the fire station). In the Series 3 episode “Brass Band” it is also shown that he plays the trombone, although he is not very good at it.

Having kept his and Penny's relationship under disguise as close friendship all this time, in the Series 9 episode Norman's Big Fossil Adventure, the latter inadvertently reveals it to Sam and Station Officer Steele by kissing the former on the cheek after he admits that he tried to save her job by getting himself fired (even though Steele was never planning on firing, it was all a misunderstanding with a photo frame). Since then they have continued their relationship whilst maintaining a very high standard of professionalism at work. However, their possible romantic relationship never been confirmed by any of the show's creators, although some fans consider them to be a couple.

Following the recruitment of two new members, Ellie and Arnold, in Heroes of the Storm, Elvis takes on a more senior role within the fire service and starts acting more responsibly. Whilst Sam was away rescuing Penny and the children from the old mines, Elvis is tasked with being the leader to is able to successfully prepare Pontypandy for a hurricane. As a result of his success, Elvis earns the respect from all his fellow citizens that he truly deserves.

In the first few series, he is often shown to get in trouble with Station Officer Steele for showing up late for work, getting his reports soggy and messy and other mishaps. Regardless of this, it is shown in Steele Under Par that Elvis has a great deal of respect for his commanding officer. As the series progresses and Elvis matures as a firefighter, the two develop a strong bond and even spend time together, as well as sharing some things in common. One of Station Officer Steele's proudest moments was seeing Elvis risk his own life to save Sam and he exclaimed "Well done young Cridlington, I won't forget that!" showing that he is truly proud of Elvis.

Personality[]

Throughout the first five series, Elvis was portrayed as a somewhat dimwitted yet a friendly, kind, and brave and mostly competent firefighter.

From the sixth series onwards, however, he has since become more childlike and idiotic, to the point where in the episode Fox on the Run he accidentally feeds the fire station dog Radar chocolates, mistaking them for doggy treats. However, he is still very loyal to his friends and a very brave fireman who is willing to risk his life for his friends. He may seem over excitable and childlike (traits that can sometimes get him into trouble with the strict and stoic Station Officer Steele) but don't be fooled, Elvis is a brave and fearless firefighter. His prowess with launching Saturn (the Fire Station’s Incident Support Imaging System) is undisputed, his skill with sticky foam is second to none and he is a master with the Floppy Shovel.

Trivia[]

Elvis is named after the famous American singer and actor Elvis Presley, whom he idolised as a child and even styled his hair upon. His love for rock was also inspired by Presley.
Elvis's original personality was based of Private Frank Pike from the British sitcom Dad's Army. His relationship with Station Officer Steele was inspired by Pike's relationship with Captain George Mainwaring, whom Steele was based off.
In the early Fireman Sam books published by Little Owl Superstars Books in 1986, Elvis' name is said in quotations (written 'Elvis' Cridlington), implying that Elvis is a nickname for something else. However, in the final television series, Elvis appears to be his real name.
He used to be the youngest firefighter until Arnold McKinley join the fire service in Heroes of the Storm.
Despite his position as the station's cook, Elvis has no culinary skills at all. Due to this and his clumsy and slightly dimwitted nature, he very often ends up burning the food. Because of this, Sam prefers to have Bella Lasagne prepare sandwiches for him over eating Elvis's cooking.
Elvis may have been afraid of heights as demonstrated in Pontypandy Extreme and Model Plane, but in later episodes he seems to be over it.
In The Break-Up, he is shown to have a talent for juggling flaming torches.
He is the secondary driver of Jupiter.
He did not become a lifeguard until Norman's Ark.
In the episode Elvis Sings the Blues, it is revealed that Elvis owns a cat. However, this cat has yet to appear in the series.
He still has yet to drive Bessie, Hydrus, Juno and the current version of Jupiter.
In a Twitter Q&A, Steven Kynman revealed that Elvis was his favourite character to voice out of the show.
In France, the surname is Portillon instead of Cridlington.
Elvis is the main operator of Saturn.
Elvis was Phoenix's only driver during Series 14.
Elvis is the only firefighter who drove Jupiter in all the Fireman Sam movies.
Elvis and Sam are the only firefighters to drive Jupiter 2000 in Set for Action!
Elvis is the only firefighter who drove Jupiter 2000 in a real emergency.
He appeared and spoke in every episode of the first five seasons.
Although Elvis is the clumsiest of the firefighters, he is the only character to have not needed an individual rescue.
On the old website called "firemansam.co.uk" from 1994, his surname was misspelt without a G.