2025 marks the 75th anniversary of television’s perennial toddler - Andy Pandy. Launched on 11th July 1950, Andy Pandy was one of TV’s first programmes created just for children, and heralded in a golden age of children’s entertainment.

Read on to learn more about this nostalgic character…

From prototype to children’s classic

First aired on the BBC in 1950, and most recently revived in 2002, Andy Pandy has been beloved by generations. However, its long term success was not always a given thing. When first devised, television for children was a novel concept, associated with fears of the potential for corruption.

However, the charm and calmness made this the classic puppet show a great success. Andy Pandy went on to be the first programme in the ‘Watch with Mother’ series which aired in 1953.  This series of regular weekly programming was devised to allay fears of corruption by encouraging viewing under the watchful eyes of mothers.

In this spirit, Andy Pandy illustrated the gentle games and adventures of the titular character, in his iconic blue-striped suit. Andy Pandy was joined in his games by friends Looby Loo (a rag doll) and Teddy (you can guess). The appeal of this early children’s entertainment relied on the charming characters, gentle playfulness and calm songs. Children were encouraged to join in singing songs and to play in the same way.

The success of the Andy Pandy series 75 years ago anticipated the success of children’s TV entertainment.

To the screen and back

Andy Pandy was brainchild of the BBC’s Heard of Children’s Programmes, Freda Lingstrom, and her colleague Maria Bird. Having previously worked on children’s radio programming, Kent-based TV producers Lingstrom and Bird were well-suited to the pioneering project.

The whimsical, charming characters were brought to life in the BBC’s ‘puppet studio’ Lime Grove site. Following a successful career and years on our screens, the string puppets eventually retired to be a part of Lingstrom’s home at Chartwell Lodge in Kent. When Lingstrom’s long-time cleaner left in the 1970s, she was presented some of the original puppets as a parting gift. Amongst the gifted collection was Andy Pandy himself! One of the original puppets is a rare gem, indeed it is one of only two known original puppets, the other being held by the London Museum.

Having been cherished by multiple generations, the cleaner’s grandchild has now put the puppets up for auction with Kent-cased auction house, C&T. Coming up at auction alongside Andy Pandy are original Looby Loo and Teddy string puppets. As a trio, these nostalgic figures are emblems of early children’s TV entertainment, known and beloved now as they were on their launch 75 years ago.

Watch them at auction

Andy Pandy and friends will be going under the hammer in C&T's Fine Dolls, Teddy Bears, Juvenalia & Related Pieces on Wednesday, 19th November 2025. 

Andy Pandy is lot 247, followed by Looy Loo at lot 248 and Teddy at lot 249. 

You can watch the bidding live by following this link to the livestream on the day.