While Worzel Gummidge isn’t a name that freely rolls off one’s tongue, the walking, talking scarecrow character with the interchangeable heads, each one giving him a unique special skill, has definitely been a fixture in British children’s fiction since the mid-1930s. The series of books by the English novelist Barbara Euphan Todd was later adapted numerous times for both radio and television, most successfully with former Doctor Who actor Jon Pertwee taking the lead role from 1979 to 1981.

Ranked among the top 50 greatest British children’s programs, Worzel Gummidge will soon be getting a contemporary 21st century adaptation with MacKenzie Crook of The Office and Detectorists fame currently working on the script while stepping into the lead role. The series saw the scarecrow come to life on Scatterbrook Farm and cause mischief with children John and Susan who visited the farm on their holidays and featured a number of well-known names in guest roles including Billy Connolly, Billy Maynard, Lorraine Chase and Bernard Cribbins.

Worzel Gummidge should find its way to the small screen in early 2019.