Worzel Gummidge

Worzel Gummidge is a fictional scarecrow who first appeared on BBC Radio in The Children's Hour on Tuesday 10 December 1935, before continuing in a series of books by the English novelist Barbara Euphan Todd. The first book was the first to be published by Puffin Books. The books have been adapted for radio and television a number of times. The original radio cast listing did not specify who performed which part, but Frank Atkinson was the first person to play the role on television in the 1953 BBC children's television series Worzel Gummidge Turns Detective. Former Doctor Who actor Jon Pertwee took the lead role from 1979 to 1981 in Worzel Gummidge, produced by Southern Television for ITV in the UK. Pertwee reprised the role later in a New Zealand version (1987–1989). In the Southern Television series, the character had a set of interchangeable turnip, mangelwurzel and swede heads, each of which suited a particular occasion or endowed him with a specific skill. In 2019 the character returned to the screen in the BBC series Worzel Gummidge, starring Mackenzie Crook in the title role.