Who could ever forget the sight of a giant kitten toppling over buildings in London? Or being asked to "Do the Funky Gibbon?"
Fans of The Goodies certainly can't.
Popular BBC comedy series The Goodies, starring Graeme Garden, Bill Oddie and Tim Brooke-Taylor delighted audiences for more than 12 years between 1970 to 1982 – before recently coming back to our screens for re-runs on That's TV and on streaming service Brit Box.
READ NEXT: Forgotten TV icon transformations – Lovejoy actor, The Good Life star and Bread hunk
Credited by generations of comedians as an inspiration, the trio were always on hand for surreal adventures that continue to delight fans to this day.
On the 52nd anniversary of the show's first broadcast (November 8, 1970), Daily Star takes a look at where The Goodies are now.
Graeme Garden
Graeme Garden OBE is known fondly for his work on The Goodies and as a regular panelist on I'm Sorry, I haven't Got A Clue – but his career may have taken a completely different path all together.
The star studied medicine at both Kings College London and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he joined the famous Cambridge University Footlights Dramatic Club – the same club that made stars of fellow comedians including The Pythons.
However, his medical training was frequently joked about in sketches for BBC Radio's I'm Sorry, I haven't Got A Clue – where he has been a panelist for more than 50 years.
As well as appearing on The Goodies between 1970 to 1982, and landing a UK Top 40 hit with The Funky Gibbon alongside his co-stars, Graeme has also appeared on Doctor In The House, voiced the title character in Bananaman, appeared in Peak Practice and Holby City, and most recently, created TV series The Imitation game.
It is no surprise then that the star was awarded an OBE in the 2011 birthday honours, for services to light entertainment, alongside co-star Tim Brooke-Taylor.
A talent for performance certainly seems to run in the family too, as his son John 'JJ' Garden has worked a keyboardist for bands including The Scissor Sisters.
Graeme has been married twice – first to Mary Elizabeth Wheatley Grace from 1967 to 1981, with who had two children called John and Sally.
He later married wife Emma Garden, with who he has a son called Tom.
The star has also spoken about being diagnosed with the condition Bells Palsy in 2002.
Bill Oddie
Like his fellow Goodies co-star, Bill Oddie OBE was a member of Cambridge Footlights and during his time with the club, performed at the Edinburgh Fringe – as well as appearing on That Was The Week That Was.
As well as voicing characters in Bananaman alongside Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke Taylor, Bill also appeared on I'm Sorry, I Haven't Got A Clue, Broaden Your Mind, Married…With Children, Asterix, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and The Keith Lemon Sketch Show, to name a few.
He is also a talented musician, appearing as Cousin Kevin in a production of The Who's Rock Opera Tommy at the Rainbow Theatre in London in 1972, as well as performing with the English National Opera and writing the comedy songs for The Goodies.
However in recent years, Bill has become known for his nature and conservation work, hosting programmes including Autumn Watch, Spring Watch, Bill Oddie Goes Wild and Bill Oddie Back In The USA.
He was later made an OBE for his services to Wildlife Conservation in the 2003 birthday honours.
Away from the limelight, the star has also spoken openly about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and clinical depression in recent years.
Speaking to the BBC in 2010, he said: "The last year was probably the worst 12 months of my life because I suffered from bipolar and terrible depression which began in January and February.
"This has put pressure on my whole family – especially my wife – and I am just glad I managed to come out of it in time to enjoy Christmas."
He also revealed that he had been very ill from "lithium toxicity" two years ago, with lithium reported to often be used to treat bipolar disorder and depression.
He tweeted in 2020: "Just so you know, I have been very ill most of this summer. Lithium toxicity. Almost fatal!
"I am still here but very confused about most things!"
In his personal life, Bill has been married twice – first to Jean Hart in 1967 and then marrying Laura-Beaumont Giles in 1983.
The star also has two daughters that have followed in his footsteps as performers, including musician Rosie Oddie and actress daughter Kate Hardie, who has appeared in The Krays, Mona Lisa and National Treasure.
Tim Brooke Taylor
Tim Brooke Taylor OBE made up the final part of The Goodies trio, with the star being brought into contact with Graeme and Bill at the Cambridge Footlights Club.
He also came into contact with The Pythons, with the star auditioning future comedy icons including Eric Idle as part of an annual comedy revue in 1963.
Tim continued to work with his Goodies co-stars throughout his life, contributing to I'm Sorry, I Haven't A Clue, as well as starring in programmes including Me And My Girl and You Must Be The Husband.
He also had a cameo in the beloved 1971 film Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, as well as hosting Beat The Nation with Graeme Garden and lending his voice to Doctor Who audio stories.
Away from the limelight, Tim was married to Christine Weadon from 1968, with who he had two children called Ben and Edward.
However, the star died on April 12, 2020 at the age of 79 years old after contracting coronavirus.
His fellow Goodies stars paid tribute to Tim, with Bill Oddie calling him "a true visual comic and great friend," while Graeme Garden said: "He was a funny, sociable, generous man who was a delight to work with. Audiences found him not only hilarious but also adorable."
Stars from the world of entertainment also paid tribute to the comedy legend, with John Cleese tweeting: "Tim was one of my very oldest friends, and one that I used to love performing with. He did 'frightened' better than anyone…"
Sandi Toksvig also added: "Tim Brooke-Taylor was a man I was privileged to call my friend. Generous and kind. Sitting beside him while he made us all laugh was an honour. He will be much missed."
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
READ MORE:
- Dinnerladies cast now – tragic death, Corrie, addiction battle and rival soap roles
- ITV Watching stars now – huge fortune left in will, co-star romance and career U-turn
- BBC's Morecambe and Wise secrets – unearthed lost episodes, royal fans and third star
Source: Read Full Article
