It has been announced that Talking Pictures TV will broadcast the Southern TV series Worzel Gummidge, starring Jon Pertwee. Unseen on TV for decades, the character has been a favourite among several generations, with two further adaptations produced in the meantime. However, it is this original television version which first brought the rascally scarecrow to a whole new audience.
Based on the books by Barbara Euphan Todd, Worzel Gummidge featured Pertwee playing the lovable scarecrow. Una Stubbs played Gummdidge’s snobby love interest, Aunt Sally. The children, John and Sue, were played by Jeremy Austin and Charlotte Coleman. Geoffrey Bayldon was featured as the Crowman. There were also appearances by well-known faces such as Joan Sims, Bill Maynard, Barbara Windsor, Lorraine Chase and Norman Bird.
It ran for 30 episodes over four series, and a Christmas special, from 1979 to 1981. Pertwee helped champion the production of the series by Southern Television, after several attempts to adapt the original books into a film failed to get off the starting blocks.
The announcement of this series joins a number of high-profile titles broadcast on Talking Pictures TV this year, including Thunderbirds, Manhunt, The Gold Robbers, Crown Court, and Four Just Men.
Worzel Gummidge will be broadcast on Talking Pictures TV, starting from the 1st of December at 6pm. It will then continue every Friday at the same time. Times of broadcast can change so be sure to check the channel’s website for details.
