DOUBLE ACTS:

In Solo: A Star Wars Story (8pm, Sky Premiere), we learn how Han Solo first meets his hairy Wookiee friend, Chewbacca. Here are a few more of our favourite unusual movie sidekicks…

Shaggy and Scooby-Doo

First seen in the 1969 cartoon series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, the slacker and his snack-loving dog were part of a crack team who hunted fake ghosts. Matthew Lillard (left, with a CGI Scooby) played Shaggy in the 2002

live-action comedy adventure film.

Philo Beddoe and Clyde

It’s never explained why Clint Eastwood’s trucker had a pet orang-utan (left) in 1978’s Every Which Way But Loose, but Clyde’s antics were a big hit with audiences.

Chuck Noland and Wilson

In Cast Away (2000), Tom Hanks’s Chuck was stranded on a desert island after a plane crash, and opened parcels that washed ashore. After Chuck painted a face on a volleyball, he called it Wilson (right), and it became his sole companion.

Shrek and Donkey If you’re a grumpy ogre, the last thing you want is to be followed around by a fast-talking donkey. Despite having opposing personalities in the ongoing blockbuster fairytale franchise (2001present), Shrek and Donkey (left) are the best of pals.