For decades, the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London has been famous as the birthplace of British royal babies—from Prince William himself to his three children with Catherine.
So, it was a bit surprising this week when the spotlight turned to the same maternity ward, but not for a real baby. Instead, a cartoon character stole the show.
At exactly 5:34 a.m. on Monday, “Evie” was announced as the newest addition to the Peppa Pig family—a fictional piglet joining Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, Peppa, and George.
Although Evie is just a pink, animated piglet, her “birth” sparked celebrations and media coverage worldwide.
When Fictional Characters Make Real Headlines
It might sound odd to some, but millions of fans sent congratulatory messages on social media about Evie’s arrival.
Some farmers grumbled that pigs usually have litters, not single babies, but even that couldn’t dampen the excitement.
Since Peppa Pig first aired in 2004, this cheeky cartoon pig has become a global phenomenon.
Today, Peppa Pig isn’t just a TV show—she’s a multi-billion-pound empire spanning books, toys, clothes, and even theme parks.
Behind the scenes, the PR magic masterminded by the agency PrettyGreen, led by Sarah Henderson, has turned Peppa’s simple world into headline news, treating the characters almost like real-life celebrities.
Peppa Pig’s Marketing Game is on Par with Hollywood Stars
Just like pop stars revealing pregnancy bumps on the red carpet, Peppa’s pregnancy announcement was a full-blown media event.
The news broke in a “live” interview on Good Morning Britain, followed by an exclusive magazine feature in Grazia—a publication known for Hollywood star scoops.
The result? Millions of views and a viral sensation across the globe.
Last month, the campaign hit another milestone with a gender reveal party at Battersea Power Station in London, where the iconic landmark lit up pink to announce that Mummy and Daddy Pig were expecting a baby girl.
This week’s birth announcement was the grand finale of this brilliantly crafted PR stunt, praised by marketing experts as pure genius.
How a Simple Cartoon Became a Worldwide Sensation
Almost every UK parent has encountered Peppa Pig in some form—whether through the TV show, merchandise, or the earworm of that endlessly catchy theme song.
But the series has also sparked endless debates on social media, with some questioning whether Peppa’s teasing of Daddy Pig counts as “fat-shaming,” or if the show promotes certain political ideas.
Peppa was born from the creativity of three London animators who wanted to create something different from the princess-and-ballerina cartoons that dominated children’s TV in the early 2000s.
They imagined a confident, cheeky girl pig who loved jumping in muddy puddles, and after two years of painstaking work, Peppa Pig debuted on Channel 5 in 2004. It was an instant hit.
From Modest Beginnings to a £1 Billion Empire
Peppa’s colorful simplicity and relatable family stories quickly won over kids and critics alike, earning a children’s BAFTA nomination and raking in £1 million in merchandise sales in its first year.
The franchise kept growing, hitting £100 million in merchandise by 2009 and launching the world’s first Peppa Pig theme park in Hampshire in 2011.
Peppa even became a pop star, with multiple studio albums that playfully revisit themes like muddy puddles.
Her creators became millionaires when they sold a large stake in their company, which was eventually bought by entertainment giant Hasbro for £2.8 billion.
The Cultural Impact and Criticism of Peppa Pig
Despite all the success, not everyone loves Peppa.
Some critics accuse the show of encouraging bad behavior, calling Peppa a “brat” or saying Mummy Pig is emotionally harsh to Daddy Pig.
Even political figures have weighed in—an Australian politician once claimed the show promotes a “warped feminist agenda.”
Yet for all the debates, Peppa remains wildly popular.
She is everywhere—on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix.
The franchise’s ability to adapt to new media while sticking to traditional PR tactics shows why Peppa Pig is more than just a children’s cartoon—she’s a celebrity in her own right.
The Unexpected Fame of Peppa Pig’s Creators
Phil Davies, one of Peppa’s creators, recalls the unusual kind of celebrity status that comes with being behind such a beloved character.
“When people with young kids find out I’m connected to Peppa, they get starstruck,” he says.
It’s a small window into the strange world where animation meets fame, and where a cartoon piglet can make as big a splash as any Hollywood star.