Famous Fred

Fred, the family cat, dies and is mourned by Sophie, Nick, and their parents. They bury him in the courtyard and paint a simple gravestone to mark his resting place. The moment marks the quiet beginning of the strange events to come.

At night, Sophie and Nick wake to a strange noise and discover Ginger, the neighbor's cat, standing outside in a tailcoat and speaking English. He asks whether they knew 'the deceased', making them realize Fred's fame extends into the feline world. The courtyard then fills with cats who gather to hold a funeral service in Fred's honour.

Kenneth, the guinea pig, pushes through the catflap and proclaims himself Fred's former manager. Ruby leads a gospel choir to perform a song in Fred's memory, and the cats unveil a grand headstone reading 'FAMOUS FRED'. The children learn that Fred's reputation rests on a secret life as a world-famous cat rock star.

Kenneth gathers the children and cats to tell Fred's story in full. He explains how Fred rose from a simple pet to a celebrated performer through a blend of training and showmanship. The tale reframes Fred's life from ordinary to legendary in the eyes of the feline world.

Fred comes to Sophie and Nick as a birthday present for their mother and, by accident, discovers rock and roll when a vinyl player is turned on. He secretly trains in the garden shed while Kenneth oversees progress, and their bond deepens as his singing improves. The household remains unaware of the secret career building behind the scenes.

Kenneth outfits Fred, teaches him to dance, and helps craft his stage persona. Fred begins performing in public and a growing crowd of feline fans follows his shows. The neighborhood becomes a stage for his burgeoning fame as the entourage of cats swells.

When the backyards are no longer enough for Fred's audience, he and Kenneth embark on a world tour. Sophie and Nick wander the streets, desperately searching for their missing pets. The jaunt strains the family’s lives as the tour's demand and Fred's celebrity grow.

The glamorous life takes a toll on Fred, with mounting veterinary bills and health problems signaling a decline. He falls seriously ill with 'cat flu' and struggles during the tour, finally returning to his family weakened. He dies soon after, leaving Sophie and Nick to grieve his loss.

In the present, Sophie and Nick mourn that they never heard Fred sing on stage. Kenneth blames himself for Fred's death. Ginger reveals that he secretly recorded Fred's final song on tape without Kenneth's permission, and the funeral is moved to the children's house for a final celebration of Fred's music.

The party at the house sees cats and children dancing to Fred's music while the fridge is emptied. As dawn approaches, everyone fades away and Kenneth tidies the kitchen before retiring. The magical night leaves a lingering sense of Fred's presence.

The next morning, Sophie and Nick's parents find the fridge empty and the garden flowers missing, puzzling them. The children lead their parents down the garden to Fred's still-decorated headstone, which they pretend they created. The parents accept the scene as a private family tribute, choosing not to reveal the truth.

In the garden, Kenneth realizes that Fred has one life left after counting how many lives he used. Fred then appears from behind his headstone and quietly slips away, leaving a smile on his face and a hint that the legend has more to come.