Grotbags

Grotbags is a children's television programme which ran for three series between 1991 and 1993 about a fictional witch named Grotbags, a spin-off of multiple earlier Rod Hull and Emu shows. Very much in the mould of the traditional pantomime villain, Grotbags was played by actress, singer and comedian Carol Lee Scott in a costume comprising vivid green make-up and wig and a witch's cape and hat. Each episode co-starred Francis Wright and Richard Coombs in multiple puppet roles.

Premise
The character Grotbags originally appeared in the Rod Hull television show Emu's World in 1982 and she remained the principal antagonist throughout the rest of the decade in the programme's various other incarnations (Emu's All Live Pink Windmill Show, Emu's Wide World, and 1989's EMU-TV), plus the subsequent animated series Rod 'n' Emu. In 1991, Central Independent Television awarded Grotbags her own solo spin-off, which was created by Carol Lee Scott and puppeteer Richard Coombs, written by Bob Hescott, and directed by Colin Clews.

A total of 29 episodes were made, with each revolving around Grotbags and her minions at Gloomy Fortress and their day-to-day lives.

Principal characters

 * Grotbags: self-styled "Bestest witch in the whole wide world"
 * Colin the Bat: a stupid bat who cannot fly very well
 * Doris the Dodo: the last dodo, rescued by Grotbags from a desert island
 * Norman Nettle: a grumpy nettle plant
 * Grumble: Grotbags's cauldron
 * Lumpy: a mass of left-over spells who lives in Grumble

Transmission guide

 * Series 1: 13 editions from 4 September 1991 – 18 December 1991
 * Series 2: 10 editions from 9 September 1992 – 11 November 1992
 * Series 3: 6 editions from 6 January 1993 – 10 February 1993