Tickle on the Tum
Encyclopedia
Tickle On The Tum was a series of ten minute programmes for young children produced by Granada Television
and aired on the ITV
network from 1983 until 1988. The series was set in a shop in the fictional village of Tickle-on-the-Tum (the humorous double-meaning of the title was explained obliquely in the theme song). The original presenters were folk-singer Ralph McTell
, fresh from his stint on Granada's other children's series Alphabet Zoo
and Danuschia Harwood. From about the middle of the second series, Harwood was replaced by Jacqueline Reddin. In the final series, Reddin became the show's lead presenter and sang the theme song, after McTell returned to his recording career.
, McTell's co-presenter on Alphabet Zoo
, while a favourite amongst children was bumbling odd-job man Barney Bodger.
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
and aired on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
network from 1983 until 1988. The series was set in a shop in the fictional village of Tickle-on-the-Tum (the humorous double-meaning of the title was explained obliquely in the theme song). The original presenters were folk-singer Ralph McTell
Ralph McTell
Ralph McTell is an English singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar player who has been an influential figure on the UK folk music scene since the 1960s....
, fresh from his stint on Granada's other children's series Alphabet Zoo
Alphabet Zoo
Alphabet Zoo is a series of ten minute programmes for young children, produced by Granada Television and was broadcast on ITV for two series in 1983 and 1984. It was presented by singer Ralph McTell and actress Nerys Hughes...
and Danuschia Harwood. From about the middle of the second series, Harwood was replaced by Jacqueline Reddin. In the final series, Reddin became the show's lead presenter and sang the theme song, after McTell returned to his recording career.
Format
Ralph and Danni (or Jacqui depending which series you were in) would be working in the shop when a local resident would come in and recount at length an incident in their week. A song, written and sung with guitar by McTell, would follow based around either the week's story or simply the visiting character. Pet-shop proprietor Bunny was played by Nerys HughesNerys Hughes
Nerys Hughes , is a Welsh actress, known primarily for her television roles.Nerys Hughes was born in Rhyl, . She studied drama at Rose Bruford College. She is best known for the role of Sandra Hutchinson in the enormously successful BBC TV series The Liver Birds which ran from 1969 to 1978 with a...
, McTell's co-presenter on Alphabet Zoo
Alphabet Zoo
Alphabet Zoo is a series of ten minute programmes for young children, produced by Granada Television and was broadcast on ITV for two series in 1983 and 1984. It was presented by singer Ralph McTell and actress Nerys Hughes...
, while a favourite amongst children was bumbling odd-job man Barney Bodger.
Cast and Characters
This is not a complete list- Barney Bodger - Tim HealyTim Healy (actor)Timothy Malcolm Healy is an English actor. He is best known for playing Dennis Patterson in the television series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. He is married to the actress Denise Welch.-Career:...
- Mike the milkman - Kenny LynchKenny LynchKenny Lynch, OBE is an English singer, songwriter, entertainer and actor from London. Lynch appeared in many variety shows in the 1960s...
- Dr Dimple - Bill OddieBill OddieWilliam "Bill" Edgar Oddie OBE is an English author, actor, comedian, artist, naturalist and musician, who became famous as one of The Goodies....
- Farmer Fields - John WellsJohn Wells (satirist)John Wells was an English actor, writer and satirist, educated at Eastbourne College and St Edmund Hall, Oxford...
- Lily the Lollipop Lady - Bertice ReadingBertice ReadingBertice Reading was an American actress, singer and revue artiste.Bertice Reading was born in Chester, Pennsylvania. Her performing career started at the age of 3, when she was talent-spotted by Bill "Bojangles" Robinson....
- Willie Wok (chip shop owner) - Burt KwoukBurt KwoukBurt Kwouk OBE , born Herbert Kwouk, is an English actor of Chinese descent, known for many television appearances and for his role as Cato in the Pink Panther films.-Career:...
- Bessie (launderette owner) - Molly Sugden
- Bunny Brown (pet shop owner) - Nerys HughesNerys HughesNerys Hughes , is a Welsh actress, known primarily for her television roles.Nerys Hughes was born in Rhyl, . She studied drama at Rose Bruford College. She is best known for the role of Sandra Hutchinson in the enormously successful BBC TV series The Liver Birds which ran from 1969 to 1978 with a...
- Dora (school bus driver) - Penelope KeithPenelope KeithPenelope Anne Constance Keith, CBE, DL is an English actress.Having started her television career in the 1950s, Penelope Keith became a household name in the United Kingdom in the 1970s when she played Margo Leadbetter in the sitcom The Good Life...
- Connie Caper - (WPCConstableA constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
) - Joan SimsJoan SimsJoan Sims was an English actress best remembered for her roles in the Carry On films, and latterly for playing Madge Hardcastle in As Time Goes By.-Early life:...
Series Guide
- Series 1: 19 editions 05 November 1984 - 01 April 1985
- Series 2: 30 editions 02 September 1985- 23 June 1986
- Series 3: 30 editions 01 September 1986 - 30 March 1987 (Including one 25 minute Christmas special)
- Series 4: 39 editions 08 February 1988 - 29 November 1988