Want to be on The Den when it returns next month? Here's how you can get involved

No confirmation yet on the extent of Ted-proofing measures installed around RTÉ studios in Donnybrook

Ray Darcy with Zig, Zag, Zuppy and Dustin. Picture: Kyran O’Brien 

There was a moment of collective joy for a generation last month, when RTÉ announced the seasonal return of kids' telly staple The Den, following the success of a reunion during the broadcaster's recent Comic Relief special.

Children of the '80s and '90s around the country grew up with the in-studio japes, sketch comedy and occasional international excursions of the show's crew, among them alien brothers Zig & Zag, perpetually underemployed builder Dustin The Turkey-Vulture, domesticated sock monster Soky, and a number of human hosts, most notably Irish media veterans Ian Dempsey and Ray d'Arcy.