To Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy we say a big welcome, for in this week's Look-in they join us in a picture strip which follows them in their exciting adventures as that intrepid bunch of junior 'tecs known as The Famous Five.
And as for the 14year-old stars of the Southern Television series...
When Look-in reporter Terry Tatnell spoke to four of the Famous Five - Marcus Harris, Gary Russell, Jenny Thanisch and Michelle Gallagher few weeks ago, they were definitely in very hgh spirits - even though they had just returned from a hard day's filming. It's most certainly not an easy job, but they enjoy it immensely.
How do they feel about becoming immortalised in a picture strip? "Oh,- that's fantastic!" they said. Jenny Thanisch added: 'I never thought we would get so much attention - the publicity we've been receiving has been tremendous." It isn't surprising, really, because the series is very well produced and off-screen the mystery solvers are a terrific bunch of youngsters.
When asked how they got on with the other actors their reply was "Great!" "But," added Jenny, "we don't really see them very much because there's always more than one actor or actress in each episode and they tend to stick together - you know, with the older people!" "The only ones we really get to talk with", chipped in Marcus, "are Michael Hinz and Sue Best who play the parts of Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny because they're always in the programme."
When asked if there had been any funny incidents while they've been filming, Marcus laughed and said "Yes - Gary!" When the hilarity subsided a little, Jenny spoke of the time when they had to shoot a scene on a bus: "We were sitting on the seats and Michelle (or rather George) was supposed to say to me 'Nobby looks very quiet today'. But the bus was so noisy that I didn't hear her when she said it the first or the second time. The third time she really shouted at me and we all fell about laughing. That scene had to be taken ten times before we could do it without giggling!" "And then there was the time", continued Jenny, "when we were walking across a ramp for the title scene."
(This remark was followed by another outburst of laughter as they recalled what had happened!). "We'd had to walk about a quarter of a mile to this ramp as we were being filmed and just as we reached it Toddy stopped to 'answer the call of nature'! We had to go right back to the start!" "And then, "said Gary, 'I fell down a hole and disappeared so we had to do it yet again!" At this point of the interview there was something that Jenny just had to say: "Snoopy rules!" She, and Michelle, are great Snoopy fans and they honour his birthday each year, which is 10th August. Last year they were staying at an hotel on that date and asked the manager if they could put all their Snoopy dolls on the mantelpiece in the lounge. The manager agreed and, much to Jenny's and Michelle's delight, when the other guests found out what this strange display was in aid of they burst into a chorus of 'Happy Birthday To You'!
Staying on the subject of dogs, they are all extremely fond of Toddy, the lovely border collie that plays the part of George's pet, Timmy. Toddy is, in fact, a veteran of the silver screen - he's most famous as one of the stars in The Railway Children. But how do they get him to act? "Food!" said Michelle. Jenny elaborated: "Last year, Toddy's trainer used to reward him with sausages but they're too expensive now so he's bribed with biscuits!"
The human members of the Famous Five aren't quite so lucky with their food, though.
During filming they're not supposed to eat sweets, cream, biscuits or have fizzy drinks - in case they break out in spots! That particular day, however, must have been an exception because Michelle was happily tucking into a box of meringues - her favourite.
When they're not filming they spend their time listening to records - Gary's favourite group at the moment is The Stranglers, Michelle is a David Bowie fan and Jenny likes Pink Floyd and Barclay James Harvest - as well as playing games, watching some television, reading and skateboarding.
Marcus, Gary and Jenny would all like to keep up their acting careers but Michelle, although she would be sad at leaving it, would like to give up acting to take up a career in which she could really help people. "I'd really like to be a psychiatrist", she said, "but it's all the studying to be a doctor that puts me off a bit!"
For the sake of Famous Five Fans everywhere, let's hope that she doesn't decide to disappear from the world of acting for quite some time yet.
So, now we've introduced you to the famous five behind The Famous Five, turn to page 12 and follow them in the first episode of their adventures in Look-in...
"The only ones we really get to talk with", chipped in Marcus, "are Michael Hinz and Sue Best who play the parts of Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny because they're always in the programme."
(This remark was followed by another outburst of laughter as they recalled what had happened!). "We'd had to walk about a quarter of a mile to this ramp as we were being filmed and just as we reached it Toddy stopped to 'answer the call of nature'! We had to go right back to the start!" "And then, "said Gary, 'I fell down a hole and disappeared so we had to do it yet again!" At this point of the interview there was something that Jenny just had to say: "Snoopy rules!" She, and Michelle, are great Snoopy fans and they honour his birthday each year, which is 10th August. Last year they were staying at an hotel on that date and asked the manager if they could put all their Snoopy dolls on the mantelpiece in the lounge. The manager agreed and, much to Jenny's and Michelle's delight, when the other guests found out what this strange display was in aid of they burst into a chorus of 'Happy Birthday To You'!