Toy Fair 2016 – Hag & Con’s questions for Thunderbirds creators Daughter Dee Anderson
Who is your favourite Thunderbirds character and why? Con age 8
It has to be Lady Penelope because my Mum created her and she did the voice. She was one of the first Ladies to be a real sort of fantastic private detective, a great Icon for females and really beautiful at the same time.
Did you ever get to operate the puppets? Which was the easiest and which was the hardest? Hag age 11
I did operate the puppets but the thing is because I was quite young it was difficult because I had to be monitored. I had to be supervised to do that. They all were quite difficult because at that time it was quite a complex routine and it had never been done before.
There were other puppets like Sooty, who was a hand puppet or Andy Pandy – but these were almost like human beings. And people thought they were human beings. The fans used to send letters thinking they were real. So that’s how real they looked.
What do you think is the best Thunderbirds ship and why? Con age 8
Thunderbird 2 obviously – everyone thinks that. In fact I spoke to someone recently who as a little boy was very ill and the first thing he saw on television was Thunderbird 2. And he thinks that that – because it was so fantastic – helped him recover from his illness. Because it was beautiful.
This particular person now has the biggest collection of Thunderbird 2 in the world because of that. And he actually feels that it’s got something very special and magical about it.
You grew up with the puppet version of Thunderbirds – but if you were a kid now would you prefer the new CGI version or the Puppet version? Hag age 11
At that time – animation was only like Disney. Now animation is the norm. You have to use your imagination a bit with the Puppets – although they did a really good job. But I think with animation they take you to places that puppets couldn’t take you. So I guess animation if it was today.
But the old one is still fantastic and stands out. I think there’s not much in it. Both are so different – you can’t really compare.
I think ITV have done a brilliant job and they have payed homage and been very respectful to the original.
Giles Ridge and Estelle Hughes – Amazing!
If you could create a new Thunderbirds character – what would he/she be like and what would their specialty be? Con age 8
If you say Thunderbirds character – It’s difficult to say. We’re doing a series now that we’re setting up – in pre-Production, which is a completely different series but it has a link to the original concept because it’s from the original creator. And myself although I didn’t create it – but I was around it.
And I think what we’ve done is push the boundary of what they did in terms of what they can do – like the Sci-Fi. Because they were the pioneers. My parents were the pioneers. And what we’ve come to is pushing the boundaries. T’he Last Station’ is our new series – so if you watch that you’ll see the answer to the question.
It’s not a spin-off but it’s influenced ‘in the world of’. We’ve got a boy – a character of 14 years old who can do amazing stuff. He comes from Earth but us half from another planet. He does amazing things – but you’ll see. I can’t give too much away – but what I can say is that question is a good question because it will be answered when you see that series.
F.A.B is the Thunderbirds catchphrase. Do you have a catchphrase you say all the time? Hag age 11
The answer is no. Well kind of.
F.A.B in those days ‘FAB’ – Fabulous. Everyone abbreviated ‘FAB’. There is a kind of meaning – it was a positive. Do I have one? No – but it’s got me thinking. Next time I see you I will have one!
The New Thunderbirds toy range from Corgi out soon!!!
