The Return Of The Wombles: first preview of the new CGI TV series
Mike Batt has released an 8-minute promotional video ‘update on the imminent return of The Wombles’, showing footage of the new CGI TV episodes along with a look behind the scenes at the Dramatico Animation studio.
He’s also revealed that - as many fans had hoped - Bernard Cribbins will be returning as the voice of Great Uncle Bulgaria.
However, the new series looks unlikely to be on our television screens until at least the end of this year. Mike Batt said on Twitter: “When I’ve finished the first series! (To a quality, not really to a date.) Maybe Xmas special 2016 then through 2017.”
"THE RETURN OF THE WOMBLES" First post of my little 8 min film about imminent TV show. RT if you feel inclined. https://t.co/ad3AMwHQYP !!!
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 25, 2016
Quite excited about this :) I feel Bernard Cribbins was instrumental to the original's charm, so *some* trepidation. https://t.co/LMS2N6X0ID
— Andy Hodgetts (@CaptainBinky) January 25, 2016
They've done a really nice job of the environments, and the Wombles themselves though CG now, nice and fluffy - better that I feared :)
— Andy Hodgetts (@CaptainBinky) January 25, 2016
. @CaptainBinky No worries - the briilliant B Cribbins is playing Great Uncle Bulgaria!
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 25, 2016
@Mike_Batt @ChrisSignore1 1000 times better than the rubbish 90's version! Next up a Dreamstone return please ;-)
— Clark Gillies 🏴 🇺🇦 (@wanderer1982) January 25, 2016
. @wanderer1982 @ChrisSignore1 Yes that 90's version was a stinker, wasn't it! Glad I've got "control" now so I can keep the quality up. :)
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 25, 2016
@Mike_Batt The Wombles look absolutely brilliant. When will they be on our screens. I was born on 1972 and was a huge fan of the originals.
— Pauline Wilson (@PaulineWilson37) January 25, 2016
"THE RETURN OF THE WOMBLES" My little 8 min film about new TV show. RT if you feel inclined. https://t.co/ad3AMwHQYP (if U missed it be4)
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 25, 2016
@Mike_Batt They've never been away in this house.
— Emgie63 (@Emgie63) January 25, 2016
@Mike_Batt Brilliant Sir! I forgot Tobermory wore a bowler hat!
— Mr Benn (@thebowlerhatman) January 25, 2016
@Mike_Batt @augustine_ryan Mike it's stunning! I feel 10 again!
— The Morecambe & Wise Archive 👓🌞♥️ (@eric_ernie_col) January 25, 2016
Wow! That's a compliment! I'll take it! Thanks very much. Hoping not to disappoint! https://t.co/4CJZv3x8Tr
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 25, 2016
@Mike_Batt @MikeReadUK Love it, have the albums and loads of posters, Love the wombles in our house, please say it's true.
— JACKIE CAPES (@JackieCapes) January 25, 2016
Thanks Ian, - glad you like it. We are going through hell getting this quality in an age of cheap and free! https://t.co/56JkyZmXQy
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 25, 2016
@Mike_Batt Loving the WABBA reference! Tobermory's Music Machine was always one of my fave Womble songs along with Exercise Is Good For You.
— Michael Poulter (@MichaelJPoulter) January 25, 2016
Haha! In one of th eps the band enters the Womblevision Song Contest - but WABBA are up against them. Who will win? https://t.co/00ZCUv7oDJ
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 25, 2016
@Mike_Batt When are the Wombles coming back Mike?
— Pauline Wilson (@PaulineWilson37) January 26, 2016
Great stuff hope we get "The Myths & Legends of King Merton Womble and His Journey to the Centre of the Earth" https://t.co/HwhY688FQc
— John Melhuish (@LordBlackadder) January 26, 2016
. @LordBlackadder That's a hard one to fit into a ten minute episode...gimme a break! M:)
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 26, 2016
Thanks for the compliment. I'm really enjoying making these episodes. It was a great pleasure talking to James. https://t.co/89TmVuyekD
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 26, 2016
@Mike_Batt @lordbonkers Biggest selling singles band in 1976? No, Mike, it was 1974. '76 was year of Wellington's doomed solo career.
— Alwyn Turner (@AlwynTurner) January 26, 2016
@Mike_Batt it looks fantastic, great job :)
— John Melhuish (@LordBlackadder) January 26, 2016
. @PaulineWilson37 When I've finished the first series! (To a quality, not really to a date). Maybe Xmas special 2016 then through 2017
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 26, 2016
. @LordBlackadder Thanks. It's a struggle because it costs much more than kids' TV usually does but we'll get there. :)
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 26, 2016
. @AlwynTurner @lordbonkers OOPs, caught lying on my own promo film. OK biggest singles band of 1974. I confess. Thanks for busting me.
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 26, 2016
@Mike_Batt I'm looking forward to my kids (6 & 4) seeing the Wombles. Now they can grow up with what I grew up with. 🇬🇧🇺🇸😀
— Atlantic Oldies 2NG (@2NGradio) January 26, 2016
@Hayley_Jane @Mike_Batt Oh my gosh...so, so adorable!! Every kid that watches is going to want to take one home! 😍🎶🎈
— Patti Vivrett (@psviv) January 26, 2016
@Mike_Batt As a Wombles fan from way back I love your dedication to the project. Look forward to the results when it's all ready. :-)
— Anne-Marie Trace (@mysgreen) January 26, 2016
Loved #TheWomblesReturn. Our industry wouldn't survive if it weren't for ideas, creativity, risk-taking and passion. Hats off to @Mike_Batt
— Mike Read (@MikeReadUK) January 26, 2016
@Mike_Batt looks amazing Mike. Good to know they are in good hands 😉
— Dave Smith (@cubwolf) January 26, 2016
The wonderful @Mike_Batt is behind a new series of The Wombles and it looks every bit as good as you'd hope. Fab.https://t.co/DZ6JlMxqAC
— Didymus (@DidymusBrush) January 26, 2016
Yay, the Wombles are returning, who knows one day we may get to visit the Hall of the Mountain Womble? https://t.co/7LX2AbbOwn
— Steamhead (Dean Harrison) (@steamheaduk) January 26, 2016
OMG yes!! I can't wait :D ~ will Bernard Cribbins be involved in any way? https://t.co/6ZkPcRsLmq
— SR (@SR1504) January 26, 2016
He sure is! The great BERNARD CRIBBINS is voicing Great Uncle Bulgaria! https://t.co/bANQzJl5Xj
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 26, 2016
What a nice thing to say. Thanks - I hope I won't let everybody down! https://t.co/KEue5DqtzL
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 26, 2016
@Mike_Batt YESSSSSSS ~ you have just made my day :)
— SR (@SR1504) January 26, 2016
@Mike_Batt A pleasure Mike. I love the attention to detail and the desire to keep it faithful to the shows and songs everyone loved.
— Didymus (@DidymusBrush) January 26, 2016
I was a fan the 1st time around Mike and can't wait to watch again. Best of luck with the launch and keep Wombling. https://t.co/CPuPeQeLm0
— Alan Blumlein (@AlanBlumlein) January 26, 2016
Thanks for the huge smile now on my face, Mike! You've done them justice! https://t.co/OnkYu7FExs
— Brian Goslow (@bgoslow) January 26, 2016
@Mike_Batt Really excited about THE RETURN OF THE WOMBLES and this taster video https://t.co/JW1fPFz9hp
— Kevin Doig (@TheDoctorMagic) January 27, 2016
@Mike_Batt top notch. youngsters will relate to this. I watched the wombles- as did my now 23 yr old and now will the next generation.
— mark oliver (@markthestoreman) January 27, 2016
. @edvaizey Hi Ed here's a little film of me using your animation tax break https://t.co/ad3AMwHQYP to keep the Wombles in the UK (RT?) M
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 28, 2016
The Wombles of Wimbledon return! https://t.co/kp8xBUJ9Jr @Mike_Batt #TheWombles #Wombles #CGI pic.twitter.com/hqBfDYruw6
— The Memo (@TheMemo) January 29, 2016
#TheWombles revival: TV team seek collaborators for new #Wombles game https://t.co/ru7j0En8uc #gaming #videogames pic.twitter.com/SfDhVM0jK4
— The Memo (@TheMemo) January 29, 2016
The Wombles of Wimbledon return in CGI https://t.co/LA1uSr8kzX via @TheMemo Hope they do it justice. Look forward to some of the old songs
— David Pearce (@davidgpearce) January 29, 2016
Whatever you do, - do NOT click on this link https://t.co/ad3AMwHQYP or RT it. (It could be that flipping 8 minute Womble thing again)
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) January 29, 2016
@Mike_Batt When do the Wombles grace us with their presence on the gogglebox? Can't wait to watch... Erm... For my son to watch it!
— Matt Barker (@MattBarkerRadio) January 30, 2016
@Mike_Batt We NEED the Wombles on our Public Broadcasting stations here in the U.S.! We don't have anything of that quality here!
— Judy Cissney (@judycsf2) February 1, 2016
@Mike_Batt And I thought the Star Wars reboot was magnificent. This far, far surpasses it! The little details in CGI are so Ivor Wood-ian!
— Frederick Harrison (@HerissonWomble) February 1, 2016
@Mike_Batt 'Miss Adelaide' would be v. apt for Stepney's appearance in your new #Wombles series as he was portrayed as Rasta in Cinar series
— Alison Joseph (@Pisceswomble) February 2, 2016
@Mike_Batt sell Wombles to Hulu for US distribution as talking to US Kids TV execs is like talking to brick wall
— Sgt. Bilby (@CyberKFox) February 3, 2016
@Mike_Batt @YouTube the new series looks fantastic, just wondering why Bernard Cribbins isn't doing the voices?
— Paul Alley 🇪🇺 (@U2ZooStationTV) February 6, 2016
He is doing Great Uncle Bulgaria. At 87 it's a bit much to do them all, and younger characters need younger voices. https://t.co/NDovBBEDby
— Mike Batt LVO (@Mike_Batt) February 6, 2016
@Mike_Batt I am chuffed you got Bernard Cribbins back, if only to do Great Uncle Bulgaria. The Wombles would not be the same without him.
— Pauline Wilson (@PaulineWilson37) February 6, 2016