Jul 28, 2026 · 1 hr 59 min · 11 segments
Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message We are truly shocked and saddened to…
Ronnie Le DrewGuestAshley ByrneHostWe're all very saddened to hear of the death of Ronnie Le Drew, the voice of Zippy and George, who was a big friend of Distinct Nostalgia.
And so for a special tribute, we're replaying our two-hour program that we did with Ronnie exactly two years ago today, in which we remembered all the work that went into creating Zippy and George over the years on Rainbow.
In future, we'll also be playing a special interview that we did, um, for a Muppets Show program for Radio 4, um, a little while ago.
We only o- were able to use a short burst of that for the documentary on Radio 4.
Um, but, um, Ronnie and I spoke at length about his work, um, with The Muppet Show, and also how The Muppet Show influenced Rainbow and Pipkins as well, uh, during the 1970s.
Uh, yes, I think they've started.
Sh- shush, quiet.
Welcome back to another Distinct Nostalgia, and this time we've a treat for literally generations of you.
All around the streets and houses, Rainbow entertained kids, and plenty of big kids, everywhere.
From the autumn of 1972 onwards, the preschool show from Thames quickly became a staple of lunchtime TV on ITV, and soon made household names of Geoffrey Hayes, Bungle the Bear, and of course, two unlikely, rather eccentric characters, sarcastic and naughty Zippy, and the shy and gentle George.
Alongside them from those very early years was Ronnie Le Drew, who would go on to provide the voices for both legendary characters.
Ashley's been speaking to Ronnie, Zippy, and George, as well as a surprise guest from another favorite kids TV show.
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We're all very saddened to hear of the death of Ronnie Le Drew, the voice of Zippy and George, who was a big friend of Distinct Nostalgia.
And so for a special tribute, we're replaying our two-hour program that we did with Ronnie exactly two years ago today, in which we remembered all the work that went into creating Zippy and George over the years on Rainbow.
In future, we'll also be playing a special interview that we did, um, for a Muppets Show program for Radio 4, um, a little while ago.
We only o- were able to use a short burst of that for the documentary on Radio 4.
Um, but, um, Ronnie and I spoke at length about his work, um, with The Muppet Show, and also how The Muppet Show influenced Rainbow and Pipkins as well, uh, during the 1970s.
Uh, yes, I think they've started.
Sh- shush, quiet.
Welcome back to another Distinct Nostalgia, and this time we've a treat for literally generations of you.
All around the streets and houses, Rainbow entertained kids, and plenty of big kids, everywhere.
From the autumn of 1972 onwards, the preschool show from Thames quickly became a staple of lunchtime TV on ITV, and soon made household names of Geoffrey Hayes, Bungle the Bear, and of course, two unlikely, rather eccentric characters, sarcastic and naughty Zippy, and the shy and gentle George.
Alongside them from those very early years was Ronnie Le Drew, who would go on to provide the voices for both legendary characters.
Ashley's been speaking to Ronnie, Zippy, and George, as well as a surprise guest from another favorite kids TV show.
