Michael Palin’s “Python-ic” Clangers

Animated series Clangers, which aired originally from 1969 to 1972, is airing in a re-booted form on ABC2 and CBeebies.

The Clangers – Mother, Major, Tiny, Small and Granny – are a loving family of woolly pink mice-like creatures who live on a blue planet.

Narrator Michael Palin remembers watching more than 30 years ago with his son, Tom.

“I remember Tom was about two or three when Clangers first came along,” he said. “Both he and I just loved it. The show worked almost on a subliminal basis, it wasn’t noisy or in your face brash, it was just gentle and subversive. It was actually slightly Python-ic at times. I loved the imagination of it all and I think it’s reassuring for children to watch something with a sense of community.”

The show retains its core elements: community and resourcefulness, hand-made designs (specialist knitters used 3km of wool for the new series) and a distinctly British tone.

“It is quite British, but that’s its strength,” says Palin. “When things go terribly wrong all someone says is, ‘Oh dear’. It’s very British in that the characters just go with it.

“I was asked out of the blue to be the new narrator, which was exciting and rather intimidating at the same time because you’re walking the footsteps of greatness.

“But it’s actually been one of the great achievements of my life.”

7.45am weekdays on ABC KIDS (ABC2) and 7:35am weekdays on CBeebies.