Our childhood TV favourites will always be the greatest shows of all

Idon’t know anyone who doesn’t turn misty-eyed when talking about their favourite kids’ TV shows. Whether it’s my mum and auntie fondly recalling watching Bill and Ben on their black and white “portable” telly or me and my friends extolling the virtues of cravat-wearing Tony Hart and his plasticine pal Morph, it’s an easy escape route down memory lane.

For a more recent generation, this week’s cover star Julie Wilson Nimmo will always be known as Miss Hoolie, the colourful nursery school teacher from the BBC show Balamory.

Many years ago I witnessed Julie being mobbed by a gaggle of young autograph hunters at Glasgow airport when the show was at its peak in the 2000s and I recall thinking how nice it must feel to know you will always be remembered so fondly.

Since Balamory finished 15 years ago, Julie has gone on to star in BBC comedy Scot Squad and this week she appears in a short film directed by her other half, Still Game star Greg Hemphill.

Playing a wife trapped in a toxic relationship, Julie delivers a moody monologue that makes for tense viewing.

On pages 6&7 she reveals she is enjoying exploring her dark side but Balamory will always be special to her. She says: “It seems like five minutes ago, but these kids come up and ask me for selfies and they’re not kids now.”

But then I think that’s where the appeal lies. They may not be a child anymore but for one brief moment, when they meet Miss Hoolie, they can pretend they are again. Just as we do when we think back to those days when we sat cross-legged in front of the TV.