What's the story Balamory?

21 years on

- BY HANNAH BRITT

Admit it, you have missed Balamory. With its cheery characters and rainbow of houses, the CBeebies show was a joy for kids and a guilty pleasure for the parents or grandparents.

And at 5pm today, nursery teacher Miss Hoolie is back after a 21-year absence.

Julie Wilson Nimmo, 54, reprising the role after 21 years, says: "Nostalgia is joy. It's very timely.

"It feels like now it is needed more than ever."

Balamory attracted two million viewers a week in the UK and was also seen in Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada and South Africa during its original 253-episode run, from 2002 to 2005.

Rumour has it even Pope John Paul II watched, as the Vatican received it on the BBC Prime channel.

It was the brainchild of series creator and producer Brian Jameson, who viewed it as a soap opera for children. Balamory is a fictionalised version of Tobermory, a harbour town with a quirky sweep of colourful buildings on Scotland's Isle of Mull.

Other old favourites returning include PC Plum, played by Andrew Agnew. Andrew, 49, says: "I think people love Balamory because they wish they lived there."