Whirligig (TV series) facts for kids
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Whirligig was an exciting television show made for children by the BBC. It aired from 1950 until 1956, making it one of the earliest kids' shows in Britain. What made it special was that it was the first children's program to be broadcast live from the BBC's Lime Grove Studios. It came on every other Saturday at 5:00 pm.
What Was Whirligig?
Whirligig was a popular TV show for young viewers in the 1950s. It was created by the BBC, a famous British broadcasting company. The show ran for six years, bringing fun and adventure to homes across the country.
One of the most interesting things about Whirligig was that it was shown live. This means there were no recordings, and everything happened as you watched it! The show came from the Lime Grove Studios in London. It was a special treat for kids on Saturday afternoons.
Meet the Stars: Humphrey and Mr. Turnip
The show had some memorable characters. One of the main presenters was Humphrey Lestocq. He was a friendly face who guided viewers through the show. Humphrey often worked with a funny puppet named Mr. Turnip.
Mr. Turnip was voiced by Peter Hawkins, a talented voice actor. Mr. Turnip was known for being a bit cheeky or "obnoxious" sometimes, which made him very entertaining. Humphrey Lestocq had a famous catchphrase: "Goody, Goody Gumdrops!" Mr. Turnip's own catchphrase was "Lawky, Lawky, Lum."
Adventures in Serials
Whirligig wasn't just one story; it featured different adventure series. These were like mini-shows within the main program. Each series had its own exciting plot that unfolded over several episodes.
Some of these thrilling serials included "In Search Of The Shadow," "Stranger From Space," and "The Highwayman's Bargain." Imagine watching these exciting stories live on your television!
Sadly, none of the 39 episodes of Whirligig are believed to have survived. This means we can't watch them today. They were broadcast live and not recorded for future viewing.
