'It's a great privilege'

Michael Palin is to be the narrator of the new Clangers series, the BBC has confirmed.

A total of 52 11-minute episodes are being made to air in the spring, and are described as 'a contemporary version of the British classic animated television show'.

Palin said: 'The world of the Clangers is delightful and irresistible. It's a real pleasure and a great privilege to be a part of its return to television.'

The Clangers are the former Python's first foray into children’s animation, although he previously authored a collection of children’s books.

The original series was narrated by the late Oliver Postgate, the Clangers' co-creator with Peter Firmin. Firmin will be executive producer on the new show with Oliver’s son, Daniel.

Daniel Postgate – who is also writing scripts for the new series – said: 'Michael Palin was my first and favourite choice, so of course I'm absolutely delighted. Among other things, he's been a warm and charming guide for us all in his extensive travels around this world, so it seems wonderfully appropriate that he should pack his bags once more, go off across the starry expanse of space and do the same for the world of the Clangers.'

And Kay Benbow, controller of CBeebies, added: 'It’s incredibly exciting to be bringing the Clangers back onto the screen and to have Michael Palin involved really is the icing on the cake. He’s such an iconic entertainer and will bring a wonderful warmth to the Clangers stories.

The pink, long-nosed, mouse-shaped creatures originally launched on the BBC in 1969:

Published: 7 Sep 2014