Everyone knows the story of the amateur magician, who whilst on holiday with his family in Blackpool, spotted a yellow bear puppet that would form a part of his magic act on the BBC. Since his TV debut in 1968, Sooty has barely been off our screens and unbelievably celebrated his 70th birthday in July 2018. This milestone amassed an impressive amount of media coverage across press, radio and TV, including segments on popular magazine shows This Morning and Lorraine. Delighting fans old and new, Sooty is the longest running children’s show of our time. Un-bear-lievable!
In 1963 Serge Danot created the characters for The Magic Roundabout (or Le Manege Enchante as it was originally known) in the suitably bohemian setting of his garage in Paris. Die-hard fans of the series will be aware that the British storylines bear no resemblance to the original French version and that instead of translating directly from the original, narrator Eric Thompson (father of actress Emma Thompson) chose to deliver his own stories based on what he could see happening on the screen. This resulted in a charmingly bizarre and immensely original series that was an instant hit with both children and adults alike and at its peak attracted an audience of 8 million viewers. Consequently, the show found its way into the affections of the British public and it became an integral part of our popular culture.
Roobarb and Custard was borne out of Grange Calveley’s daydreams of what mischief his dog Roobarb might be getting up to whilst he was slaving away at his job in an ad agency. Doodling away on his pad with his marker pens, he created one of the most legendary characters in British animation history. Combine Calveley’s character with the artistic prowess of Bob Godfrey (aka the Godfather of British animation) and his “boiling” technique, throw in a highly addictive theme tune, hilarious gags and word play and you have yourself a cult TV show that was adored by children but unashamedly cherished by its adults viewers, even to this day.
A teatime favourite of the 1980’s, Nicholas Spargo’s Willo the Wisp was a wonderfully imaginative series, enhanced by the delightfully fruity tones of the versatile Kenneth Williams who provided the voices for all the characters. A caricature of Williams himself, the prinicipal narrator, Willo the Wisp originated from an educational animation created by Spargo for British Gas in 1975. The show held wide appeal and although aimed at a younger audience, adults couldn’t help but tune in to find out what was going on in Doyley Wood. Indeed so popular was the show that it reached no 44 in the general BARB charts with peak viewing of 8.2 million. Willo the Wisp is a totally unique piece of television and has gone on to achieve a cult status in ensuing years with a carefully revamped 2005 series that maintained the charm of the original.
The wonderful adventures of three child-voiced characters – Tib, Lalloo and Bobble – living in a huge forest with their friends.
Their world is made of shapes, and each story sees them head to the Olobob Top where they use these shapes to build new characters, who then come to life and join them on their problem-solving adventures. Focusing on creative play and imagination, Cbeebies hit Olobob Top shows young children that there is no limit to what they too can create! Visually striking and with plenty of humour parents will enjoy, Olobob Top has connected with households across the world. The show is narrated by the wonderfully versatile comic actor Stephen Mangan and is in Cbeebies top 15 performing shows.
To a greater or lesser extent we are all Little Monsters as we carry through life the traits that defined us as children from nose picking to daring antics, tantrums to sleepless nights we find ourselves in the characters of The Little Monsters. Shown on both CBBC and CITV from 1998 to 2001, the Little Monsters was produced by our very own Managing Director Russell Dever and the IP remains with him and its creator Tony Garth.
Like the title says, Milton is a microscopic little chap who lives in a clock, on the mantelpiece, in the parlour of the house that belongs to a lady named Mrs Witherspoon. He’s so small that Mrs Withersponn can’t even see him. But douglas can. He’s a shaggy dog with a big red nose, who likes to snooze in front of Milton’s fireplace, and he and the little guy have all sorts of microspically big adventures together…
Milton’s miniature stories are slim, but perfectly formed. They’re chock full of wit, as Milton enthuses about one thing or another, and gets some half-cooked idea about the big world in and around their home. And most tales end up with Douglas casting a wry or bemused glance towards camera, before his pal hops on top of his nose for a lift back to Mrs Witherspoon’s fireplace.
Broadcast on CBBC between 1997 and 1999 this show was produced by our very own Managing Director Russell Dever
Who We Are
Each member of our team brings their own unique talents and expertise and are the foundation to our success.
Russell Dever
Managing director
Leah Dever
Licensing Manager
Beata Pejka
Senior Creative Manager
James Dever
Business Development Manager
Tom Wilson
Digital Marketing Manager
Bobbie Lloyd
Design Assistant
As well as being a licensing agency, Those Licensing People also owns the children’s entertainment SVOD platform KidsCast where we can showcase your brands through digital distribution.
KidsCast is a fun and safe space for kids to watch, play and learn.
For more information please follow the link below to the KidsCast website.
