For young adults of a certain age (my age) Children’s BBC was not presented from a flash studio laden with colourful lights, props and by two over paid, overactive presenters. It was presented from the broom cupboard.

Phillip Schofield in the Broom Cupboard

Observe: The broom cupboard in all its glory.

It wasn’t actually the broom cupboard, but the continuity announcer’s room – the guy who says “Coming up next on BBC One, Neighbours” while the image of the globe spins on screen.

Back in the 80s this was all we expected and, of course, the presenter either had to have more natural charm or work harder to keep us all entertained. And they did.

I don’t really remember Phillip Schofield as the main presenter but I do remember Andy Crane who presented with glove puppet Edd The Duck, a yellow duck with a green mohican haircut. Andy was also responsible for National Willy Fogg day – 28th April 1988 – when the children’s TV programme Around the World with Willy Fogg started or finished or something, and Andy sent copies of the theme song lyrics out to anyone who wanted them. Apparently this was a mammoth undertaking as the offer proved to be far more popular than anyone envisaged!

The intro for Willy Fogg is on my 7 Forgotten Children’s Programmes post, for anyone who’s interested.