Balamory is back on screens today - and the much-loved children's TV show has some surprising celeb fans

Balamory is back on screens today - and the much-loved children's TV show has some surprising celeb fans What's the story? After two decades much loved BBC children's programme Balamory is back! We caught up with some of the cast who tell why the time is right for its returnCommentsNewsHannah Britt, Senior Reporter Mirror Features09:20, 20 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesBalamory is back on our screens today for more fun, stories and adventure (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Lion TV Media Scotland/Anne Binckebanck)Admit it, you have missed Balamory. With its cheery characters and rainbow of houses, the CBeebies show was a joy for kids and a guilty pleasure for the parents or grandparents. And at 5pm today, nursery teacher Miss Hoolie is back after a 21-year absence. Julie Wilson Nimmo, 54, reprising the role after 21 years, says: “Nostalgia is joy. It’s very timely. It feels like now it is needed more than ever.”‌Balamory attracted two million viewers a week in the UK and was also seen in Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada and South Africa during its original 253-episode run, from 2002 to 2005. Rumour has it even Pope John Paul II watched, as the Vatican received it on the BBC Prime channel.‌READ MORE: BBC star 'didn't think' beloved show would return after 21 yearsIt was the brainchild of series creator and producer Brian Jameson, who viewed it as a soap opera for children. Balamory is a fictionalised version of Tobermory, a harbour town with a quirky sweep of colourful buildings on Scotland’s Isle of Mull. Other old favourites returning include PC Plum, played by Andrew Agnew. Andrew, 49, says: “I think people love Balamory because they wish they lived there.” He adds: “When they see people who are genuinely nice people and friendly and caring, they think, ‘I want that in my life’.”‌View 3 ImagesWhat's the story? We're about the find out as the new series of Balamory begins todayAndrew, who lives in Glasgow and has worked extensively behind...