The spokeswoman for the production company behind the new Postman Pat series is quite adamant: “You have to understand that it’s like The Simpsons. The characters don’t age as such.” That would certainly explain why, 23 years after his debut appearance in Pat’s passenger seat, Jess is still going strong. It also explains why Pat’s son, Julian, hasn’t grown. But whither the fate of Granny Dryden, whose house is now occupied by Greendale’s newest family — Ajay Bains, his wife, Nisha, and their son, Nikhil? They seem a nice bunch, but couldn’t they have built a new house for them just down the road?
“I can confirm that she’s no longer in the programme,” says the spokeswoman.
Is that because she’s dead? Understandably, she’d rather not say. One suspects that meetings took place, with flipcharts showing a map of Greendale. Circled around Granny Dryden’s house may have been a note that said: “Limited plot potential!” With 26 new episodes commissioned, something had to give. So how does 21st-century Pat square up to the old model? Three- year-old Dora loved the episode in which a power cut prevents Ted Glen from testing his new ice-cream machine, and I was rather taken by the episode in which all the vehicle owners in Greendale decide to have a race through the village. Do we see Pat actually doing his job? Not much, it must be said. But if Julian’s new band takes off, Pat’s sideline as Greendale’s very own Simon Cowell may offer up a whole new series — Pop Svengali Pat. Altogether now . . .
Postman Pat, CBeebies, Sat/Sun 2.45pm. The new series will air on CBeebies from Sep 6