Bodger and Badger was a BBC children's comedy programme written by Andy Cunningham, first broadcast in 1989. It starred Cunningham as handyman Simon Bodger and his talking badger companion. The programme was spawned from some appearances the double act made in 1988 as part of the Saturday morning BBC1 children's programme On the Waterfront.
The programme followed the exploits of Simon Bodger and his puppet companion, Badger, a badly-behaved badger with a proclivity for mashed potato. The first four series focused on Bodger's jobs as a handyman and his attempts to hide Badger from his superiors. Series 1 was set at Troff's Nosherama, a café where Bodger worked as a cook. Series 2 and 3 were set at Letsby Avenue Junior School. Series 4 was set at Chessington World of Adventures, a real theme park in Surrey.
From series 5, the character Mousey was introduced, a puppeted mouse with a fondness for cheese. The show was now set at Bodger's rented home and later his B&B hotel. Series 5-7 rarely mentioned Bodger's employment, suggesting he was now unemployed. The later series still focused on Bodger's attempts to hide Badger from figures of authority, his landlady from Series 5-7 and the tourist information officer in series 9. These later episodes increased the slapstick humour with prominent comic sound effects and incidental music.
The programme had a memorable theme song sung by children. The music was composed by Peter Gosling and the lyrics written by Andy Cunningham. There were a number of different edits of the song used over the years, with the full version used on the end credits of some episodes from 1989 to 1991.
Everywhere he goes, Bodger always knows, Badger and his Badger mates are never far away!... Bodger and Badger! Bodger and Badger! La la la la la Badgers never far away..! Everybody knows, Badger loves, Mash Potato! He makes them into shapes and eats them everyday…! Bodger and Badger! Bodger and badger! La la la la la, la la la la la, Everywhere he goes, Bodger always knows, Badger and his Badger mates are never far away..! Bodger and Badger! Bodger and Badger! La la la la la, la la la la la. Bodger and Badger are never far away!
Simon Bodger- Andy Cunningham
Badger -voiced by Andy Cunningham, operated by Andy Cunningham + others.
Mousey -voiced and operated by Jane Bassett
Mr Valentino -Rudolph Walker
Mr Lionel Beasley -Jon Glover
Holly -Sophie Worters
Mrs Cecilia Dribelle -Carol MacReady
Daphne -Jane Bassett
Vicky -Sally Ann Marsh
Miss Prunella Peake -Valerie Minifie
Mrs Bobbins- Jo Warne
Miss Piper -Hilda Braid
Mr Bill Gripper -Roger Liddle
Mr Hector Troff -Roger Walker
Mavis -Joanne Campbell
Mrs Daphne Trout -Lila Kaye
Eamon Trout -Philip Herbert
Miss Geraldine Moon -Selina Cadell
Mrs Prunella Bogart -Richenda Carey
Boss" & Courtney -Penelope Nice and Ashley Artus
Elton -Joe Cushley
Alec Smart -Ricky Diamond
Millie - Jane Bassett
Mr Tucknott -Bill Thomas
Mrs Sharona Melly -Carole Boyd
Mr Malcolm Wilson -Matthew Woolcott