1955 – Dennis is such a hit with young readers that his very own Christmas Annual is launched. Every year there’s a new collection of stories which has become a must-have Christmas gift for kids young and old.

1975 – Dennis is given his own Fan Club. Members include rock stars and showbiz personalities, such as Star Wars’ Mark Hamill, Olympic gold medalist Linford Christie and 80’s singer Joan Armatrading. Over the next twenty years the Dennis Club signs up 1.5 million members.

1986 – In a dramatic storyline, Gnasher goes missing for six weeks provoking a spontaneous national press campaign in the tabloids to help find the missing mutt.

1988 – To coincide with The Beano’s Fiftieth Anniversary, a merchandising programme is launched. Dennis is the image every licensee is after. He appears on various ranges for premium retailers such as Marks and Spencers.

1996 – Dennis is signed up by the BBC to appear in two animated series. They were continuously aired on prime time television until 2009 and feature the voices of stars like Billy Connolly and House’s Hugh Laurie.

2000 – Dennis is enlisted by the Chancellor Gordon Brown to launch working families’ tax credit.

2002 – Dennis and Gnasher helped Queen Elizabeth II celebrate her Golden Jubilee, accepting an invitation to Buckingham Palace

2004 – Dennis and Gnasher become the longest running comic strip in the Beano – EVER!

2008 – Dennis and Gnasher declare August 2nd as “Gnashional Menace Day”, encouraging youngsters to raise money for charity by playing practical jokes on their friends and family. The pair are also joined by Wallace and Gromit in a special birthday edition of The Beano, edited by Oscar award winning animator and Beano fan Nick Park.

2009 - Dennis and Gnasher join Fun Kids