The Clangers

It's easy to panic when the BBC announce remakes. The threat of third-rate CG, political correctness or gratuitous Americanisation is enough to make most people cower under the bedclothes and reach for their Noggin the Nog box sets. In the case of The Clangers, all our fears were unfounded: they're still stop-motion, they still speak in whistles and they still appear to be knitted. It's partly the influence of Daniel (son of Oliver) Postgate, who has overseen the new series' development with a faithfulness and attention to detail that would have made his father proud. Narrated with whimsical charm by Michael Palin (who has been just about everywhere except the planet Clanger), all the old favourites are here, along with a few new ones. Sadly, we have yet to hear Major Clanger swearing, as he does in the original series, but I live in hope. — James

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