THIS IS BIGGER THAN OASIS

Miss Hoolie among the actors thrilled by the news that the BBC is bringing back Scots show for pre-schoolers

- HEATHER GREENAWAY

WHAT’S the story in Balamory? Well it’s coming back after nearly 20 years, to the delight of its millions of fans and the stars whose lives it changed.

The CBeebies show, 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 15million 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.

Julie Wilson Nimmo, who played Miss Hoolie, declared that 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 Scots 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.