Pipkins (1973)
The beloved British pre-school puppet series that brought Hartley Hare, Pig, and Topov into the hearts of a generation of young ITV viewers.
Pipkins - Series Information
- Original Title: Pipkins
- First Air Year: 1973
- Last Air Year: 1981
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Family, Kids
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (15 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 14
- Number of Episodes: 321
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: ITV1
- Alternative Titles: Inigo Pipkin (UK)
- Production Companies: Associated Television
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Pipkins - Plot
Pipkins was a British children's TV programme. Hartley Hare, Pig, Topov and the gang were the stars of ATV's pre-school series which ran from January 1973 to 29 December 1981.
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Pipkins - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- George Woodbridge
- Jonathan Kydd
- Sue Nicholls
- Heather Tobias
- Charles McKeown
- Royce Mills
- Wayne Laryea
- Preston Lockwood
Writers
- Gail Renard
Pipkins - FAQs
What is Pipkins about?
Pipkins was a British pre-school puppet series produced by ATV and broadcast on ITV1. It followed the charming adventures of Hartley Hare, Pig, Topov the monkey, and their puppet friends, offering gentle, imaginative storytelling designed to entertain and engage very young viewers.
Who was Hartley Hare in Pipkins?
Hartley Hare was the cheeky, lovable rabbit puppet who served as the breakout star of Pipkins. Mischievous and full of personality, he became the face of the series and remains the character most fondly remembered by fans who grew up watching the show in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Why was Pipkins originally called Inigo Pipkin?
The series launched in 1973 under the title Inigo Pipkin, named after the kindly puppeteer character played by George Woodbridge. When Woodbridge passed away in 1973, the show was retitled Pipkins to honour his memory while allowing the puppet characters to carry the series forward independently.
Where can you watch Pipkins today?
Pipkins is a vintage British series from the 1970s and early 1980s, so mainstream streaming availability is limited. Your best option is to check JustWatch for any current regional availability, or explore specialist retailers and archive collections for DVD releases of surviving episodes.
How many seasons and episodes does Pipkins have?
Pipkins ran for 14 seasons across its broadcast life from 1973 to 1981, accumulating 321 episodes in total — an impressive run for a pre-school puppet series. The season sizes varied considerably, from compact runs of 10 episodes to larger seasons of over 50 episodes.
Who were the main cast members of Pipkins?
The series featured George Woodbridge as the original Inigo Pipkin, alongside Jonathan Kydd as Tom and Wayne Laryea as Johnny. Sue Nicholls, Heather Tobias, Charles McKeown, Royce Mills, and Preston Lockwood also appeared throughout the show's long run on ITV1.
What made Pipkins different from other children's puppet shows?
Pipkins stood out for its warmly crafted puppet characters and its gentle, unhurried storytelling pace perfectly suited to pre-school audiences. The show blended puppetry with live-action human performers, creating an intimate world that felt genuinely connected and emotionally engaging rather than purely performative or educational.
What shows are similar to Pipkins?
Fans of Pipkins tend to enjoy other puppet-driven children's classics such as Fraggle Rock, The Muppet Show, and Bear in the Big Blue House. Tweenies and Eureeka's Castle also share that same warm, character-led charm aimed at younger audiences who love imaginative, puppet-populated worlds.
More About Pipkins
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