Balamory to return to screens after 20 years as BBC favourite set for comeback

Balamory cast members in 2004.
-Credit: (Image: Supplied)


What's the story in ­Balamory? Well it’s coming back after nearly 20 years, to the delight of its millions of fans and the stars whose lives it changed.

The CBeebies show, which aired from 2002 until 2005, was based on a fictional pastel-hued island community and residents such as Miss Hoolie, PC Plum, Josie Jump, Edie McCredie and Archie the inventor.

The Bafta-winning series, with its catchy songs, had 15million devotees worldwide and attracted two million viewers a week in Britain.

READ MORE:BBC star Louise Minchin explains why she's barred from joining Strictly Come Dancing

READ MORE:Tamzin Outhwaite begged 'let's take our clothes off' in raunchy sex scene

After four seasons and 254 episodes the programme was cancelled, but the BBC yesterday announced it has commissioned two new series, which will begin airing in 2026.

Julie Wilson Nimmo, who played Miss Hoolie, declared that this is the reunion everyone has been crying out for. The mum of two said: “It’s the craziest and best news ever that Balamory is coming back.

“I seriously think this is bigger than the Oasis reunion. Everyone I know loves the show and has been missing it.”

Andrew Agnew played PC Plum on Balamory.
Andrew Agnew played PC Plum on Balamory. -Credit:Supplied

The new Balamory series is out to tender, but the BBC hopes some of the original cast will be part of it along with some fresh characters.

It is expected the action will again centre on a nursery and its teacher, but it is not yet known if filming will return to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull or if another Scots island, such as Rothesay, will be used as the location for the fictional Balamory.

The wholesome series made stars of its cast, including Andrew Agnew, who was the island’s policeman PC Plum. Close friends Andrew and Julie went on to appear in BBC comedy Scot Squad and both would jump at the chance to return to Balamory.

Miss Hoolie (Julie Wilson Nimmo), PC Plum (Andrew Agnew) and Archie (Miles Jupp).
Miss Hoolie (Julie Wilson Nimmo), PC Plum (Andrew Agnew) and Archie (Miles Jupp). -Credit:Supplied

Julie, 52, who is married to Still Game’s co-writer and star Greg ­Hemphill, 54, says she jumped for joy when she heard the news. She said: “I carry a piece of Miss Hoolie with me every day – she changed my life and will always be a huge part of it.

“I would be up for going back if Brian Jameson is directing and is producing with Helen Doherty. I met some of my best friends on Balamory and Andrew is even godfather to our youngest son, Chevy.

“If they brought back the old cast alongside new characters then I would be over the moon. It would be like a family reunion.

Miss Hoolie is everyone's favourite teacher.
Miss Hoolie is everyone's favourite teacher. -Credit:Supplied

“We’ve all been on the phone to each other since the news broke and we are all very excited as we know the show meant a lot, not just to us but to viewers around the world.”

She added: “Balamory was one of the first shows on the ­CBeebies channel but folk liked it so much the bosses put it out on BBC1 and BBC2 and that is when it all went bananas.

“Fans started flocking from all over the world to visit ­Tobermory and everyone knew the theme tune. It was such a happy, ­wholesome programme that spread pure joy.”

Julie, who has played a host of characters on other shows over the years, admits she still gets recognised as Miss Hoolie two decades on, even by Australian kids’ megastars The Wiggles.

The actor, who starred in CBeebies series Olga da Polga, said: “We bumped into The Wiggles in LA and they were so excited to see Miss Hoolie. They have now become good friends. Anthony Wiggle’s head will be blown when he hears this news.

“I’ve lost count of the number of famous folk who have come up to me and said they used to watch Balamory with their kids, including Graeme Souness.

“I nearly fainted when he came up to us at the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards and asked if I would make a video of me for his boys as they were massive Balamory fans.”

Penny Pocket (Kim Tserkezie) and Spencer (Rodd Christensen).
Penny Pocket (Kim Tserkezie) and Spencer (Rodd Christensen). -Credit:Supplied

She added: “You can do the most worthy piece of theatre and people will still shout ‘Miss Hoolie’ after you in the street. I will always be grateful to her as she has opened so many doors.

“My eldest son, who is now 23, was just seven months old when I started filming Balamory and Greg had just started with Still Game so it was a very happy and memorable time in our lives and it would be lovely to see what Miss Hoolie has been up to.

“I think she is still in the nursery and still single after having her heart broken a few times over the last 18 years. She will be flying the flag for the menopause and still loving her job.

“Maybe they should rekindle the PC Plum and Miss Hoolie love affair. The question on everyone’s lips will be did they or didn’t they – and I can tell you the answer is they haven’t.”

Andrew, 47, who is about to star in A Glasgow Kiss at The Pavilion, would also be excited to dust off his uniform. He said: “I’m delighted wee kids are going to see what a special show it is. All those years ago when it was on TV it took the UK by storm and the number of fans it had was fantastic.

“I really hope they can get it up and running again and hope the creator Brian Jameson will be involved because if he is I would jump at the chance to go back.

“It would need to be done for the right reasons and the right way. If they keep the ethos and the wholesome island way of life at the fore, I will be there.”

Andrew, who also starred in CBeebies show Woolly and Tig with Taggart’s Colin McCredie, added: “PC Plum was such a big part of my life for so many years and I will always have a soft spot in my heart for him. Twenty years on I think he would still be there doing the job he loved.”

Kate Morton, the head of commissioning for zero to six-year-olds for BBC Children’s and Education, said: “It will be a real treat for parents who grew up with the show to now introduce their little ones to the brightly coloured world getting to know a host of old and new characters together.”

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.