Tickle on the Tum

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.

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 Hughes, McTell's co-presenter on Alphabet Zoo, while a favourite amongst children was bumbling odd-job man Barney Bodger.

Cast and Characters

This is not a complete list

• Barney Bodger - Tim Healy
• Mike the milkman - Kenny Lynch
• Dr Dimple - Bill Oddie
• Farmer Fields - John Wells
• Lily the Lollipop Lady - Bertice Reading
• Willie Wok (chip shop owner) - Burt Kwouk
• Bessie (launderette owner) - Molly Sugden
• Bunny Brown (pet shop owner) - Nerys Hughes
• Dora (school bus driver) - Penelope Keith
• Connie Caper - (WPC) - Joan Sims

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

Merchandise

The complete first series has been released on DVD on 23rd August 2010.