Return Of The Teletubbies

The Teletubbies are back after almost 20 years since they first baby-talked their way to extraordinary global success.

12:40 14 April 2015

The Teletubbies are set to make a come back after almost 20 years since they first baby-talked their way to extraordinary global success. The revival, which was revealed this week, will include the voices of Jim Broadbent and Jane Horrocks of Little Voice and Ab Fab fame, who will play the Tubby Phone, a new character in Teletubbyland. 

 

Although big names are involve in the remake, there isn’t a much hope of a hit. Even Anne Wood, the co-creator between 1997 and 2001 said that she wouldn’t be watching the new episodes. 

 

"I couldn't bring myself to," she told the Radio Times. "All my programmes are like my children. It's like seeing a child remade in somebody else's image." More tellingly, she added: "There are such a lot of programmes being remade and I just feel that the children's television industry is worth more than that. It would be nice if more encouragement was given to new work."

 

Meanwhile, Greg Childs, the former producer and exec at CBBC and CITV, said that there’s hope because the parents of today’s kids are familiar with the show. 

 

"There's definitely something going on,"

 

"Funding for children's programmes is severely challenged across the board. There is a big risk involved, and even if children don't know a property, their parents will. And they are the ones buying the merchandise, and making the choices."