Our Story
Today
Ragdoll’s focus continues to be on the world of young children as demonstrated by our new programme Twirlywoos. Ragdoll’s work always has underlying educational concepts and for Twirlywoos we decided to make these more evident by collaborating with Professor Cathy Nutbrown, Specialist in Early Years Education. The result is a programme that even more directly relates[…..]
New Era for Ragdoll
In September 2013 Canadian Company DHX Media acquired all the rights to Ragdoll Programmes, including Teletubbies but with the exception of Pob. This deal enabled Ragdoll to finance new productions starting with Twirlywoos in 2015. Please note that any new version of past Ragdoll programmes (e.g. Teletubbies) will be produced by DHX Media and are[…..]
2010s
Dipdap (BBC) – A naïve 2D animated character, follows a line drawn live on screen by Steve Roberts. The line is a continual source of silly fun and surprises. 52 x 3 minutes. Broadcast January and November 2011. Dipdap App launched March 2013. The Adventures of Abney & Teal (BBC) – Beautifully drawn and illustrated[…..]
2000s
Badjelly the Witch (BBC) – Animated adaptation of the Spike Milligan story. Two versions 29 and 48 minutes in length. Broadcast Christmas 2000. Boobah (ITV) – Storytelling programme focusing on movement. 104 episodes x 20 minutes. 21 episodes x 10 minutes. Broadcast April 2003. Blips (ITV) – Comedy around the character of Mr Perfect who frequently gets[…..]
Company Expansion
The Ragdoll Foundation The Ragdoll Foundation was set up in 2000, originally owning a stake in the Ragdoll Company. It now operates independently. Please visit www.ragdollfoundation.org.uk Ragdoll Stateside In the early days of the company, Anne’s cold calling on US broadcasters and distributors became legendary. She was always received with polite respect for the modest Ragdoll[…..]
1990s
Rosie and Jim (ITV) – Puppet characters Rosie and Jim explore the world from a much loved narrow boat The Ragdoll traversing the canals of the UK. Series 1 and 2: 50 episodes x 15 minutes; Series 3-8: 125 episodes x 10 minutes. Series broadcast between September 1990 and January 2000. Brum (BBC) – An independent real miniature car[…..]
The Ragdoll Shop
In 1992, Ragdoll moved to Stratford-upon-Avon and took over a refurbished antique shop in Chapel Street. The upper accommodation became offices and the ground floor area became a fully fledged shop – with a difference. Two thirds of the shop became play areas for children and the rest dedicated to the sale of Ragdoll merchandise to[…..]
1980s – The Early Years
The first creation of the new company was broadcast from 1985 to 1988. He was a sort of ‘goblin baby’ who lived in the TV and interrupted normal transmission. Pob knocked on the back of the screen and then introduced himself by writing his name on the screen. He created his programme by interacting with[…..]
In the Beginning
Anne came from a working class background. She was born in Spennymoor, County Durham and grew up in a small coal mining village nearby. Encouraged by loving parents to develop her talents she qualified as a secondary school teacher and one of her early missions was to encourage her pupils to read. In 1965 Anne[…..]
