'TACHE OF' THE DAY

Mike Bubbins shares the inspiration behind his retro comedy creation – 1970s throwback PE teacher Tony Mammoth – as the hilarious hit show returns

- WORDS: JEN PHARO

When Mammoth burst onto our screens in April 2024, it was an instant hit.

Telling the story of a Cinzano-guzzling, Capri-driving, kimono-wearing PE teacher who is brought back to life 45 years after being buried in an avalanche on a school skiing trip, the fish-out-of-water sitcom struck a chord with viewers.

Then, after just three episodes, it abruptly ended, leaving fans clamouring to see more of the straight-talking 1970s PE teacher, and his luscious moustache.

“The option was have three episodes or don’t have any, so I had three,” explains creator Mike Bubbins, 53, who plays Tony Mammoth and writes the show. “Almost immediately after the three went out they gave us a nine- episode recommission so we could split that however we liked. So we've done four now and we're writing the next five at the moment.”

It's been an 18-month wait, but now Mammoth is back, he's determined to get to grips with the 21st Century and get to know his adult daughter Mel, played by Sian Gibson, and his grandson Theo, played by Joel Davison.