Billy Bunter at 110

SIR: In his ruminations regarding his favourite TV series of the 1950s, ‘Revive Billy Bunter? Fat chance’ (September issue), Gyles Brandreth appeared to be unaware that The Oldie had previously made a strenuous effort to stimulate the popularity of ‘the Fat Owl of the Remove’, who, as your columnist correctly stated, is now almost forgotten.

Ten years ago, the magazine celebrated Bunter’s centenary with a two-page spread (March issue, 2008) written by me and given maximum exposure by the then editor making it the cover story (‘Cripes! Bunter is 100’), illustrated by Bob Wilson’s magnificent cartoon of the gluttonous schoolboy stuffing his face.

Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School was a comedy classic that was, as I observed a decade ago, underpinned by the virtues of tolerance, decency and loyalty. Bill Hagerty, London SE1