The BBC's classic children's show Play School is returning after 38 years. The programme, which aired from 1964 to 1988, featured beloved characters including Poppy, Jemima, Humpty, Little Ted and Big Ted.
The broadcaster has invited production companies to pitch ideas for a revamp designed to appeal to modern children. The new episodes will run for just 14 minutes, a significant reduction from the original 25-minute length.
Revival details and pitch requirements
The pitch states: "The toys remain some of the most cherished elements of Play School and are fondly remembered by generations of viewers."
"We would like the new version of the programme to bring to life a version of the toys in a contemporary capacity aligned to the expectations of today's children. We are open to exploring different approaches, whether that involves bringing back the full original line-up or introducing new characters alongside them and representing them through different media including animation."
Legacy and famous presenters
Play School helped launch the careers of several presenters, including Baroness Floella Benjamin, who later moved into politics. During her time on the show, she campaigned for stronger representation of ethnic minorities.
"All the illustrations when I told the stories were of white children," she told the BBC in 2024. "I said to the producer, 'Why can't we have some black and Asian and Chinese faces in the illustrations rather than all white faces?'"
She added: "When I did Play School, the number of people who said 'You just being there opened doors for me, made me know, as I was growing up, four or five years old watching you, that anything is possible.'"
Floella received a damehood in 2020 and was also appointed to the British Board of Film Classification's (BBFC) advisory panel on children's viewing.
Other notable presenters and the original toys
Other iconic presenters included the late Brian Cant, who appeared on the show for over 20 years and was one of its longest-serving hosts, as well as Zoe Ball's father Johnny Ball.
The original Play School toys are kept at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, West Yorkshire. However, the original 'Teddy' from the very first show in 1964 is not part of the collection, as it was stolen in 1970. It was replaced by Big Ted and Little Ted.
