Bob adopts new accent for US TV

Bob the Builder will hit US TV screens this week - complete with an American accent.

The animated character has been dubbed with a US drawl after creators decided children would relate to their own accent better.

The show will be shown on Nickelodeon in a new format of two-and-a-half minute episodes five days a week.

Bob has arrived in New York to promote his show's debut next week.

Peter Orton of HIT Entertainments told Ananova he was very excited about building Bob into a major icon in the US.

"Most American children were brought up on Sesame Street," he says.

"But new shows from abroad have had a massive impact in the US market."

Bob's already had huge international success, particularly in Japan and Germany.

Peter also revealed that Bob's hit single Can We Fix It may be released in the US at the end of the year.

"It all depends on how well Bob is received but we're very confident," he says.