Introduced in September 1964, the gonk-based character known as ‘Tivvy’ first appeared to launch the “Junior TV Times Club”. He subsequently became the TV Times mascot, promoting the magazine’s new colour version in print and on television.
Created by Paul Usher, the Creative Director of the Erwin Wasey Agency, the character had an owl-like round body, flat feet, and a long, flat beak like a duck’s.
His voice was gravelly, and he wore a stripey woolly vest. Topping it all was a Beatles-style haircut.
The character’s distinct, croaky voice was provided by John Ebdon, an eccentric author, broadcaster, and the long-serving director of the London Planetarium.
The character used in the television adverts was animated by George Moreno.
In a maelstrom of incessant self-promotion, Tivvy began to feature in his own merchandise, cartoons, and spin-off records.
Actor Jimmy Hanley was subsequently made the President of the ‘Tivvy Club’ and presented Tivvy-laden propaganda in a full-page article each week in the TV Times.
Determined to perpetuate the illusion that Tivvy was more popular and well-liked than he actually was, the TV Times stuck him in front of the big ITV stars whenever they could, and the Tivvy Club page regularly roped in small-screen celebs for a spot of tenuous cross-promotion.
The character never reached the levels of popularity the TV Times had hoped and Tivvy was phased out. All traces of him had been erased by the end of the decade.
Created by Paul Usher, the Creative Director of the Erwin Wasey Agency, the character had an owl-like round body, flat feet, and a long, flat beak like a duck’s.
Actor Jimmy Hanley was subsequently made the President of the ‘Tivvy Club’ and presented Tivvy-laden propaganda in a full-page article each week in the TV Times.
