CBBC & CBeebies Aquires New Animation Series ‘Gordon the Garden Gnome’ Starring Alan Titchmarsh
- 7 April 2005
The BBC is set to get ‘green fingers’ with the acquisition ‘Gordon the Garden Gnome’ from leading UK independent animation house Collingwood O’Hare Entertainment.
This delightful pre-school series stars gardening guru and housewife’s favourite, Alan Titchmarsh as the voice of Gordon, a cheerful and optimistic gardening Gnome. The acquisition of 52 x 11-minute episodes is a strong indication of the BBC’s continuing commitment to home-grown animation.
Michael Carrington, Head of Acquisitions & Animation, CBBC said, “We’re thrilled that CBBC and CBeebies have been able to secure the broadcast rights to this high quality British animation series. It adds a distinct look and feel to our programme portfolio."
Aimed at boys and girls 2-6, Gordon the Garden Gnome is a perfect blend of entertainment and education, with a strong focus on ecology and the environment. Faced with a water shortage, an impending storm, a garden full of autumn leaves, or simply the arrival of a homeless plant in the post, Gordon’s caring attitude to the plants and animals in his garden educates children in the ‘friendly’ way to solve problems, and help make the world a better place.
Executive Producer for CBBC, Theresa Plummer-Andrews said “With a strong creative team behind Gordon the Garden Gnome, its unique content and excellent voice talent, it’s sure to be popular with CBeebies audiences”.
Collingwood O’Hare Managing Director, Christopher O’Hare, who describes gardening as ‘the new rock and roll’, says: “Gordon the Garden Gnome is loads of fun and will encourage young children to be fascinated by the garden and the environment. It will be the end to the annihilation of flower beds and the start to little green fingers all around the country.”
The series, is set to premiere on CBeebies and CBBC2 in June.
Worldwide distribution for Gordon the Garden Gnome, outside of the BBC Licence, is by Southern Star International.
- ENDS -
Collingwood O’Hare Entertainment was established in 1988 by Tony Collingwood (Writer/Director) and Christopher O'Hare (MD/Producer). The company has earned a prestigious international reputation as a creator and producer of award-winning, high-quality animated series, specials and television features. In 2001, 2002 and 2004 Collingwood O'Hare won BAFTA Awards for Best Pre-School Animation for ANIMAL STORIES, EDDY & THE BEAR and YOKO! JAKAMOKO! TOTO!, respectively. COE’s other production credits include their multi-award winning debut film RARG, Emmy nominated DR SUESS’S DAISY-HEAD MAYZIE, BAFTA nominated DENNIS & GNASHER from The Beano, THE MAGIC KEY, OSCAR’S ORCHESTRA, POND LIFE, and THE KING’S BEARD.
Southern Star International is an integrated film and television production and distribution group. Divisions of the Company are involved in film, television and video production; sales and distribution; and licensing and merchandising. Southern Star is a division of Southern Cross Broadcasting (Australia) Limited, a publicly listed Company on the Australian Stock Exchange.
For further information please contact:
Simon Salter
Head of Public Relations
Collingwood O’Hare Entertainment Ltd
10-14 Crown Street, London W3 8SB
Tel: 020 8993 3666
Dir: 020 8752 8303
Fax: 020 8993 9595
Email: s.salter@crownstreet.co.uk
Shannon Becker
Marketing Executive
Southern Star International
Tel: 61 2 9202 8504
Fax: 61 2 9956 6918
Mb: 61 418 219 733
Email: sbecker@sstar.com.au
Angela Ashford
BBC Publicity
Room 2145 BBC Television Centre
Wood Lane
London W12 7RJ
Tel: 020 8576 9486
Email: angela.ashford@bbc.co.uk
