I first covered Scragtag, the verminous mid-1980s puppet operated by Marcus Kimber, in 2013. I must have watched him in programmes such as T.T.V and Scragtag and his Tea Time Telly, but I couldn't remember him at all. No matter, I eventually discovered he was an excellent character, even if his BBC vehicles were weak. Since 2013, however, little else regarding Scragtag has surfaced. So, I decided to go digging.
I can't promise you a plethora of footage. Neither can I finally reveal Marcus Kimber's unfinished autobiography. But I can show you what Scragtag was getting up to when he wasn't on the television. Yes, in my dedication to the British television stories no one else would bother covering, I delved through the archives for any mention of Scragtag. The result? Numerous local news reports featuring the Cockney cat, and here they are:
6th December 1985 - Kentish Express
A few months after he made his bow in T.T.V, Scragtag visited Ashford Children's Day to entertain the local children. Curiously, his 90-minute show took place in Boots the Chemists (when did we start calling it just Boots?) I have no doubt it was a highly entertaining event, and certainly more enjoyable than my recent visit to Boots for some Milk of Magnesia.
9th May 1986 - Sheerness Times Guardian
On 10th May 1986, Scragtag could be found out and about in Kent once more, with a 30-minute appearance at Faversham's Arden Theatre. A spokesman for the theatre pointed out that it was a fortuitous event, only made possible because Scragtag happened to be staying in the area with his friend Marcus Kimber. Most excitingly, there was also crisps and pop for the youngsters, and more lively beverages for the parents (and most likely Scragtag).
16th May 1986 - Faversham News
A week later, the Faversham News reported on Scragtag's visit to the Arden Theatre, complete with a photo of him among his adoring fans - this is clearly before the bar opened as he's upright. Being a half-hour engagement, there was only time for a meet and greet rather than an all-out extravaganza. Mr Patterson, presumably the theatre manager, appears to have opened the bar early that day judging by his peculiar description of Scragtag.
3rd October 1986 - Maidstone Telegraph
A few weeks after Scragtag and His Teatime Telly arrived on Children's BBC, Scragtag was back in the local press. Promoting his upcoming dates at Maidstone's Hazlitt Theatre, The Maidstone Telegraph provided some revealing insights into Scragtag's backstory. What really caught my eye was Kimber's revelation that Scragtag was inspired by a puppet he operated in The Young Ones. The character certainly has the makings of an alternative comedy creation. It's just a shame he was blunted by the childish material he was served up.
14th May 1987 - The Stage
In 1987, industry paper The Stage published a review of Scragtag's live show. Details of the actual content are vague, but it appears to be a typical touring children's show. Did songs feature? I'd bet my last penny they did, with smiles set to 11.
Eric Braun sounds like he had a riot there, and I'm assuming he's an adult if he's writing for The Stage. It's intriguing that he describes Scragtag as raucous and a huge hit with the young audience. Scragtag's lack of bite on Children's BBC was a real missed opportunity. He also writes that Scragtag will have a new BBC series in the near future. Sadly, the BBC would air only repeats of Scragtag from here on in.
20th August 1987 - Suffolk and Essex Free Press
Scragtag's popularity soon led to a set of tie-in books, with Arrow Books releasing four adventures in September 1987. I did actually purchase one of these back in 2013. I can't remember much about it, which speaks volumes. It was an adequate children's book with some cutesy illustrations of Scragtag, but that was about it. They still litter eBay if you're desperate to investigate, although I'd advise you to save your pennies. Anyway, to help flog some copies, Marcus Kimber and Scragtag were heading to Sudbury Library for a public reading of Scragtag Finds a Friend on September 4.
5th September 1987 - Portsmouth Evening News
Scragtag continued his promotional campaign for the books with this article in the Portsmouth Evening News. Note that this article states the books were released by Beaver Books. A little research reveals that this was the name of Arrow Books' line of books for children. Again, we have a brief biography of Marcus Kimber, along with a photo of him and Scragtag. Excitingly, readers could win a fan club pack and set of books, plus the amazing opportunity to meet Scragtag. I guess this is what dreams are made of.
10th September 1987 - East Kent Gazette
Sittingbourne Library was Scragtag's next stop, with close to a hundred children descending on the venue to meet the furry maestro. Kimber, as usual, read to the children from the books - all part of the library's storytime programme - and then conducted a Q&A session with Scragtag. There's a mention here of Scragtag badges being on sale, and I have to admit that this pains me. A few years ago, I saw a Scragtag badge for sale on eBay and failed to put in a bid. It remains one of my biggest regrets.
9th October 1987 - Chatham News
Long before the competitiveness of World Book Day, there was Book Week, an event where parents weren't forced to spend a fortune on a fancy dress costume for their children. The 1987 event was especially memorable for children at Wayfield Primary School, Chatham and St Mary's Infants, Gillingham: Scragtag made a public appearance.
The Chatham news reported on the event and readers were treated to not one, but two photos of Scragtag alongside the pupils, who genuinely look ecstatic. Personally, I'd have probably passed out with all the excitement.
25th November 1987 - Portsmouth Evening News
I was never aware that Scragtag was overly concerned with the environment, but it turns out he was one of the spokespeople for the UK 2000 campaign for environmental improvement. I couldn't remember the campaign by name, but I do recall the late 1980s being packed full of litter initiatives and associated poster competitions on Blue Peter et al.
As part of his involvement, Scragtag was despatched to schools up and down the land. Fernhurst Middle School in Southsea was one of these. Here, the pupils showed him how they had turned scrap materials into art, before showing off their wonderful 1980s fashion to a photographer from the Portsmouth Evening News.
25th March 1988 - Sunderland Daily Echo
The strangest, and most haunting, press cutting in this collection. Scragtag should have been the guest star at an East Durham children's art competition. Unfortunately, for reasons long lost to time, he had to cancel. But luckily, and I use luckily in its loosest sense, his cousin Scragend was able to step in. Clearly, Scragend was a man in a hastily hired cat costume, a terrifying one at that. The children look far from thrilled at meeting Scragend, and I suspect the memory has haunted their dreams ever since. Still, well done on winning the art competition.
14th March 1988 - Suffolk and Essex Free Press
Scragtag was back in action a few weeks later when, accompanied by Marcus Kimber, he took a trip to Colchester Castle with a handful of fans. Thankfully, Scragend was nowhere to be seen, and judging by the photo in this article, it was a much more enjoyable jaunt than East Durham. Curiously, the article states that Scragtag's new series had just started, but this was in fact a repeat of Scragtag and his Teatime Telly.
6th February 1991 - Buckinghamshire Advertiser
Scragtag's BBC career finished in 1988, but he had a further lease of life in Scragtag and Toddles, Ace Detectives, a series which ran on the British Forces Broadcasting Service in the early 90s. Little is known about this series, although it did manage to secure a commercial release of two episodes. I picked up a VHS of this in the early days of Curious British Telly and uploaded the first episode to YouTube. Scragtag is at his best here, and shows what he could have achieved on the BBC. Sadly, the second episode turned to static after a few minutes.
Scragtag was finally back in the press after a lengthy absence. This particular cutting details his appearance in Chalfont St Giles as location filming took place for Scragtag and Toddles. Scragtag's ability to capture headlines, however, was quickly fading.
8th February 1991 - Buckinghamshire Advertiser
Just two days later, Scragtag was back in the pages of the Buckinghamshire Advertiser. It must have been a quiet week in Buckinghamshire, as two stories on Scragtag's appearance seem a little overkill. I haven't been to Chalfont St Giles before, but it sounds like the sort of place where celebrity excitement is rare. I suspect they have a lovely set of tearooms there though.
17th July 1991 - Amersham Advertiser
Several months later, Scragtag made his, at least as far as I can see, final appearance in the press. This time, he was filming for Scragtag and Toddles over in Chalfont St Peter, located close to the British Forces Broadcasting Service HQ. 200 schoolchildren were involved in the shoot and, despite Scragtag not appearing on their screens for three years, they seem to be treating him as if he's a famous pop star. Sadly, following Scragtag and Toddles, Scragtag would slide into obscurity, only being kept alive by curious individuals who write about forgotten British television.
So, what have we learned from all this? Scragtag was more than just a flash in the pan children's puppet; he had a genuine fandom. Numerous causes wanted to get him involved in promotional activities, although this could have been budget-related too.
There's also the nagging feeling that he should have been bigger. He was lumbered with rather tame material on the BBC, and his anarchic DNA was never allowed to run wild and deliver something children really took to their hearts. But at least these press cuttings have allowed us to piece together a more complete picture of his curious little career.
Now, if you happen to have a Scragtag badge going spare, please get in touch. And if you remember anything else relating to Scragtag, please let me know!
I’ve got a new book for sale on Amazon out and it’s called 172 Forgotten British Children’s TV Shows From The 1980s - click here to find out more.
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