Balamory is coming back after nearly 20 years, leaving millions of fans and the stars of the hit BBC children’s show delighted.
East Kilbride actress Julie Wilson Nimmo, who played Miss Hoolie, says the CBeebies show’s return is “bigger than the Oasis reunion”.
Balamory, which aired from 2002 until 2005, was based on a fictional pastel-hued island community and residents such as Miss Hoolie, PC Plum, Josie Jump, Edie McCredie and Archie the inventor.
The Bafta-winning series, with its catchy songs, had 15 million devotees worldwide and attracted two million viewers a week in Britain.
After four seasons and 254 episodes, the programme was cancelled, but the BBC yesterday announced it has commissioned two new series, which will begin airing in 2026, the Daily Record reports.
Julie declared this is the reunion everyone has been crying out for. The mum of two said: “It’s the craziest and best news ever that Balamory is coming back.
“I seriously think this is bigger than the Oasis reunion. Everyone I know loves the show and has been missing it.”
The new Balamory series is out to tender, but the BBC hopes some of the original cast will be part of it along with some fresh characters.
It is expected the action will again centre on a nursery and its teacher, but it is not yet known if filming will return to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull or if another Scottish island, such as Rothesay, will be used as the location for the fictional Balamory.
The wholesome series made stars of its cast, including Andrew Agnew, who was the island’s policeman PC Plum. Close friends Andrew and Julie went on to appear in BBC comedy Scot Squad and both would jump at the chance to return to Balamory.
Julie, 52, who is married to Still Game’s co-writer and star Greg Hemphill, 54, says she jumped for joy when she heard the news. She said: “I carry a piece of Miss Hoolie with me every day – she changed my life and will always be a huge part of it.
“I would be up for going back if Brian Jameson is directing and is producing with Helen Doherty. I met some of my best friends on Balamory and Andrew is even godfather to our youngest son, Chevy.
“If they brought back the old cast alongside new characters then I would be over the moon. It would be like a family reunion.
“We’ve all been on the phone to each other since the news broke and we are all very excited as we know the show meant a lot, not just to us but to viewers around the world.”
She added: “Balamory was one of the first shows on the CBeebies channel but folk liked it so much the bosses put it out on BBC1 and BBC2 and that is when it all went bananas.
“Fans started flocking from all over the world to visit Tobermory and everyone knew the theme tune. It was such a happy, wholesome programme that spread pure joy.”
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