Rupert Bear lives an idyllic life in the village of Nutwood with his parents, Mr and Mrs Bear. Dressed in his signature red jumper and yellow checked trousers, Rupert frequently ventures out into the surrounding countryside, where the world gives way to magical lands. He is joined in his travels by a host of friends, including Bill Badger, Podgy Pig, and Edward Trunk. Each short tale follows Rupert as he encounters everything from sea serpents to Chinese conjurers before always returning safely home to Nutwood in time for tea.
This puppet series brought one of Britain’s most enduring children’s characters to television. Originating as a Daily Express comic strip in 1920, Rupert Bear was already a household name, primarily through a long-running series of popular Christmas annuals. The television production retained the source material’s gentle, innocent tone, and its simple string puppetry and static backdrops gave the stories a storybook quality that resonated with a young audience.
The programme was an immediate success for ITV, expanding from an initial order of 13 episodes to a full run of 156. Its place in popular culture was secured by the memorable theme tune, sung by Jackie Lee, which became a significant chart hit in its own right.
Broadcast: ITV – ATV, 156 Episodes
Narrator: Judy Bennett
Theme Music: “Rupert” performed by Jackie Lee
