Rainbow

Who could forget this children's classic? Presenter Geoffrey Hayes cavorted about like a big kid for the best part of twenty years, accompanied by a large man in a bear suit ('Bungle'), and a couple of hand puppets (camp pink George, who was a hippo, and loud, raucous Zippy, who was a creature with big eyes and a large, zippable mouth).

Next door lived Rod, Jane and Freddy (earlier Rod, Jane, and Roger) who were daft and slightly fey hippy singers.

I don't remember the series in its earliest days before the arrival of Geoffrey & co., so these comments are mainly concerning the period between 1976 and 1986. 'Rainbow' was curiously addictive even when you had outgrown the age range it was aimed at, and now, like 'Bagpuss' and 'The Clangers', it has achieved something of a cult status.

Totally brilliant, right from the twee song 'paint the whole world with a rainbowwww' to Bungle's bungling, Zippy's arguments, George's rollers and frilly nightie, and Geoffrey's obvious acceptance of his role as king of children's telly for two generations.