Mark Braxton
@braxtm.bsky.social
Journalist, nostalgist, outdoorsist. Classic and current telly, archive posts. Radio Times writer, from Doctor Who to Detectorists and beyond.
Happy 50th birthday, Ripping Yarns! The comedy anthology created by Michael Palin and Terry Jones began #OTD in 1976 with the pilot episode. A few years ago I sought the views of Sir Michael and superfan @johnofarrell.bsky.social: www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/si... @radiotimes.bsky.social
Sir Michael Palin reflects on the "step into the unknown" that would become a comedy classic
Ripping Yarns, the masterly anthology series that Palin created with fellow Python Terry Jones, is 45 this week – and now on BritBox. So how did it come about? And which is Palin's favourite episode?
www.radiotimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Happy 50th birthday, Ripping Yarns! The comedy anthology created by Michael Palin and Terry Jones began #OTD in 1976 with the pilot episode. A few years ago I sought the views of Sir Michael and superfan @johnofarrell.bsky.social: www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/si... @radiotimes.bsky.social
Golden ghosts!
Happy birthday to Rentaghost, which is 50 today 🎂👻
Despite the knockabout style, it's a surprisingly bleak premise! Photo of Michael Staniforth as Timothy Claypole taken by Don Smith for @radiotimes.bsky.social
Happy birthday to Rentaghost, which is 50 today 🎂👻
Despite the knockabout style, it's a surprisingly bleak premise! Photo of Michael Staniforth as Timothy Claypole taken by Don Smith for @radiotimes.bsky.social
January 6, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Golden ghosts!
Happy birthday to Rentaghost, which is 50 today 🎂👻
Despite the knockabout style, it's a surprisingly bleak premise! Photo of Michael Staniforth as Timothy Claypole taken by Don Smith for @radiotimes.bsky.social
Happy birthday to Rentaghost, which is 50 today 🎂👻
Despite the knockabout style, it's a surprisingly bleak premise! Photo of Michael Staniforth as Timothy Claypole taken by Don Smith for @radiotimes.bsky.social
Z Cars was back for a scary-looking new series #OTD 50 years ago. Writer Allan Prior set the scene in @radiotimes.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Z Cars was back for a scary-looking new series #OTD 50 years ago. Writer Allan Prior set the scene in @radiotimes.bsky.social
Happy birthday, Paddington! The TV series began #OTD 50 years ago, based on the books of Michael Bond, narrated by Michael Hordern and animated and directed by Ivor Wood. @radiotimes.bsky.social celebrated the wonderful work of Ivor Wood last year... www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/mag...
January 5, 2026 at 8:35 AM
Happy birthday, Paddington! The TV series began #OTD 50 years ago, based on the books of Michael Bond, narrated by Michael Hordern and animated and directed by Ivor Wood. @radiotimes.bsky.social celebrated the wonderful work of Ivor Wood last year... www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/mag...
This box can hide a secret inside...
@radiotimes.bsky.social celebrates the magic and the music of Camberwick Green on its 60th birthday! 🎈🎶 radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/c... #CamberwickGreenat60
@radiotimes.bsky.social celebrates the magic and the music of Camberwick Green on its 60th birthday! 🎈🎶 radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/c... #CamberwickGreenat60
On the 60th anniversary of Camberwick Green, we go inside its famous musical box
We celebrate the evergreen children's classic by exploring its life and legacy – and celebrating its memorable, magical music.
radiotimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:13 AM
This box can hide a secret inside...
@radiotimes.bsky.social celebrates the magic and the music of Camberwick Green on its 60th birthday! 🎈🎶 radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/c... #CamberwickGreenat60
@radiotimes.bsky.social celebrates the magic and the music of Camberwick Green on its 60th birthday! 🎈🎶 radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/c... #CamberwickGreenat60
Cold but crisp. Burnham Beeches today.
January 2, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Cold but crisp. Burnham Beeches today.
Don't take the bunting down just yet... There's another celebration coming. Stay on this channel. @radiotimes.bsky.social "Can you guess what is in it today?"
January 2, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Don't take the bunting down just yet... There's another celebration coming. Stay on this channel. @radiotimes.bsky.social "Can you guess what is in it today?"
Step into another world...
I hope the coming year brings you joy. #HappyNewYear
I hope the coming year brings you joy. #HappyNewYear
January 1, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Step into another world...
I hope the coming year brings you joy. #HappyNewYear
I hope the coming year brings you joy. #HappyNewYear
There was a new series of Charlie Brown starting on New Year's Eve 50 years ago. Followed by The Magic Roundabout. @radiotimes.bsky.social
December 31, 2025 at 4:58 PM
There was a new series of Charlie Brown starting on New Year's Eve 50 years ago. Followed by The Magic Roundabout. @radiotimes.bsky.social
Tim Curry, Michael Palin and Stephen Moore starred in Three Men in a Boat on BBC Two #OTD 50 years ago. It was adapted from the Jerome K Jerome novel by Tom Stoppard and directed by Stephen Frears. John Timbers was there to photograph the production for @radiotimes.bsky.social.
December 31, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Tim Curry, Michael Palin and Stephen Moore starred in Three Men in a Boat on BBC Two #OTD 50 years ago. It was adapted from the Jerome K Jerome novel by Tom Stoppard and directed by Stephen Frears. John Timbers was there to photograph the production for @radiotimes.bsky.social.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is showing from tonight at 10.10pm on BBC Four as part of John le Carré Night. Photo of Alec Guinness as George Smiley taken for a 1979 @radiotimes.bsky.social cover by John Timbers.
December 30, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is showing from tonight at 10.10pm on BBC Four as part of John le Carré Night. Photo of Alec Guinness as George Smiley taken for a 1979 @radiotimes.bsky.social cover by John Timbers.
A natural in front of the camera...
Bernard Cribbins, born #OTD in 1928, photographed for @radiotimes.bsky.social in 1965.
Bernard Cribbins, born #OTD in 1928, photographed for @radiotimes.bsky.social in 1965.
December 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM
A natural in front of the camera...
Bernard Cribbins, born #OTD in 1928, photographed for @radiotimes.bsky.social in 1965.
Bernard Cribbins, born #OTD in 1928, photographed for @radiotimes.bsky.social in 1965.
Taplow Foot Bridge, Maidenhead.
December 28, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Taplow Foot Bridge, Maidenhead.
Five-star #DoctorWho... You could watch an omnibus edition of Genesis of the Daleks #OTD 50 years ago. Photos of Michael Wisher as Davros and Tom Baker as the Doctor taken by Don Smith in February 1975 for @radiotimes.bsky.social
www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/do...
www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/do...
December 27, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Five-star #DoctorWho... You could watch an omnibus edition of Genesis of the Daleks #OTD 50 years ago. Photos of Michael Wisher as Davros and Tom Baker as the Doctor taken by Don Smith in February 1975 for @radiotimes.bsky.social
www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/do...
www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/do...
"Oooh, I know..." BBC Four celebrates the life and work of Prunella Scales, tonight from 9pm. Captured in character as Sybil Fawlty during a photoshoot by Brian Moody for @radiotimes.bsky.social in 1979. Fawlty Towers is on BBC Two at 7.05pm.
December 27, 2025 at 9:08 AM
"Oooh, I know..." BBC Four celebrates the life and work of Prunella Scales, tonight from 9pm. Captured in character as Sybil Fawlty during a photoshoot by Brian Moody for @radiotimes.bsky.social in 1979. Fawlty Towers is on BBC Two at 7.05pm.
Christmas with Rutland Weekend Television #OTD 50 years ago included How to Ski in Your Own Home, a review of rock opera Pommy and George Harrison dressed as a pirate. Thank you for RWT, Eric! @ericidle.bsky.social
December 26, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Christmas with Rutland Weekend Television #OTD 50 years ago included How to Ski in Your Own Home, a review of rock opera Pommy and George Harrison dressed as a pirate. Thank you for RWT, Eric! @ericidle.bsky.social
Happy birthday, Bod! The very first episode, Bod's Present, first aired at 1.45pm #OTD 50 years ago. #TheregoesBod
December 23, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Happy birthday, Bod! The very first episode, Bod's Present, first aired at 1.45pm #OTD 50 years ago. #TheregoesBod
Man on the Moon. Happy birthday to Tomorrow's World's James Burke, photographed in 1973 by on a model landscape for the science-fiction drama Moonbase 3, on which Burke was a technical adviser.
December 22, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Man on the Moon. Happy birthday to Tomorrow's World's James Burke, photographed in 1973 by on a model landscape for the science-fiction drama Moonbase 3, on which Burke was a technical adviser.
John Le Mesurier photographed in Bury St Edmunds in July 1973, by William Raynor for @radiotimes.bsky.social. On BBC Four tonight Le Mes narrates Bod (8.10pm), is profiled in the documentary It's All Been Rather Lovely (8.30pm) and stars in the Christmas 1976 episode of Dad's Army (9.30pm).
December 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
John Le Mesurier photographed in Bury St Edmunds in July 1973, by William Raynor for @radiotimes.bsky.social. On BBC Four tonight Le Mes narrates Bod (8.10pm), is profiled in the documentary It's All Been Rather Lovely (8.30pm) and stars in the Christmas 1976 episode of Dad's Army (9.30pm).
Happy birthday, Bod, 50 years old this week!
Derek Griffiths Remembers... Bod is tonight at 8pm, followed by the Christmas episode at 8.10pm, on BBC Four. #HappyBirthdayBod @radiotimes.bsky.social
Derek Griffiths Remembers... Bod is tonight at 8pm, followed by the Christmas episode at 8.10pm, on BBC Four. #HappyBirthdayBod @radiotimes.bsky.social
December 20, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Happy birthday, Bod, 50 years old this week!
Derek Griffiths Remembers... Bod is tonight at 8pm, followed by the Christmas episode at 8.10pm, on BBC Four. #HappyBirthdayBod @radiotimes.bsky.social
Derek Griffiths Remembers... Bod is tonight at 8pm, followed by the Christmas episode at 8.10pm, on BBC Four. #HappyBirthdayBod @radiotimes.bsky.social
Activate the Christmas @radiotimes.bsky.social! The double issue starts today – highlighters ready! ✍️⛄
December 20, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Activate the Christmas @radiotimes.bsky.social! The double issue starts today – highlighters ready! ✍️⛄
Some lovely stuff coming up in Christmas week. I can recommend: Derek Griffiths Remembers... Bod (20 December BBC Four); Hamleys: Top 100 Toys of All Time (22 December C4); The Scarecrows' Wedding and Shaun the Sheep: Fleece Navidad (both Christmas Day BBC One) 🧑🎄🎄🐏 🎁
December 18, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Some lovely stuff coming up in Christmas week. I can recommend: Derek Griffiths Remembers... Bod (20 December BBC Four); Hamleys: Top 100 Toys of All Time (22 December C4); The Scarecrows' Wedding and Shaun the Sheep: Fleece Navidad (both Christmas Day BBC One) 🧑🎄🎄🐏 🎁
Postman Pat had snow and ice to contend with in Greendale in Letters on Ice #OTD 40 years ago. A lovely episode designed and directed by the great Ivor Wood. I explored his fantastic work earlier this year for @radiotimes.bsky.social: www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/mag...
December 17, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Postman Pat had snow and ice to contend with in Greendale in Letters on Ice #OTD 40 years ago. A lovely episode designed and directed by the great Ivor Wood. I explored his fantastic work earlier this year for @radiotimes.bsky.social: www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/mag...