Lord Parker can now finally go on his ‘oliday, this evening saw the premiere of a brand new Thunderbirds advert on ITV. The advert is part of a campaign run by Halifax in which Parker finally experiences a change in fortunes by winning the top prize of £500,000 in the Halifax Savers Prize Draw Superdraw.
The advert made its TV premiere on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, and follows a series of Halifax campaigns in which the bank is visited by the Flintstones, Top Cat and Scooby Doo and the gang.
22/07/15: Update! Here’s the latest photo of Robert Harrop’s new Parker and Light Fingered Fred figurines. Initially these will be exclusive to attendees at Fanderson’s upcoming convention – The Future is Fantastic!
Fanderson, in association with Robert Harrop, is delighted to announce that these beautiful limited edition Parker and Light Fingered Fred figurines will premiere at Fanderson’s upcoming convention, The Future Is Fantastic.
The early pre-sculpt versions pictured above show the characters in memorable poses from the classic Thunderbirds episode “Vault of Death”, with Parker polishing a boot and Fred complete with fag in mouth.
Sculpted by Anthony Halls, these two figurines will initially be exclusive to attendees at the event, and on sale at a special convention price.
Stock of these fabulous figures will also be available from Robert Harrop after the event through the normal channels…
Another very a very good reason to join us in October!
The Future is Fantastic! So, have you booked your ticket?
The Future is Fantastic! will take place over the weekend of 2nd to the 4th October 2015 at the Holiday Inn Maidenhead.
As well as a wonderful array of special guest panels and interviews, Fanderson’s first full-weekend convention in five years will also feature rare screenings;model, puppet and artwork displays, interactive workshops and games…
Fans of Gerry Anderson’s original Thunderbirds series got their dearest wish today, as ITV Global announced that David Graham would reprise the role for which he is most fondly remembered. Almost 50 years have passed since his last appearance, but the voice artist will once again be playing the much-loved chauffeur and reformed crook, Aloysius Parker in ITV Global’s Thunderbirds are Go! Rosamund Pike (The World’s End, Gone Girl, Die Another Day) will play his aristocratic employer and International Rescue Agent, Lady Penelope.
Other cast members to be announced include:
Brains – Kayvan Novak (Fonejacker, Facejacker)
Alan and Scott Tracy – Rasmus Hardiker (Saxondale, Lead Balloon)
Virgil Tracy – David Menkin
Gordon and John Tracy – Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Love Actually,Game of Thrones)
Grandma Tracy – Sandra Dickinson (Amazing World of Gumball, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)
The Hood – Andres Williams (M.I. High, Foyle’s War).
It appears that no announcement has yet been made as to the role of Jeff Tracy, the head of the Tracy family. However it has been confirmed that Thunderbirds Are Go! will also feature a range of brand new characters. Kayo – the Tracy brothers’ friend and fellow island resident – will be played by Angel Coulby (Merlin, Dancing on the Edge) and Colonel Casey voiced by Adjoa Andoh (Invictus, Doctor Who).
Giles Ridge, Executive Producer of Thunderbirds Are Go! said: “Each member of the cast has brought a brilliantly fresh and unique approach to these wonderful characters. I can’t think of anyone better than Rosamund to bring back to life the fabulous Lady Penelope and we are honoured that David Graham has joined the cast to revisit his role as Parker.”
Rosamund Pike commented: “I’m very excited to bring Lady Penelope’s wry wit and taste for adventure to a new generation. Exploring the scenes with David Graham has been an absolute delight. The scripts are very modern, very fresh and very funny. We’re all eagerly anticipating our next stint in the recording studio!”
David Graham, playing Parker, added: “I am triple chuffed to be on board the new series of Thunderbirds Are Go! and reprising my role of dear old Parker with such a distinguished cast. My driving skills are in good nick and I am delighted to be behind the wheel again with M’Lady. Cheerio!”
The series features an innovative mix of CGI animation and live-action miniature sets and is due to debut in 2015. Thunderbirds Are Go! is produced by ITV Studios and New Zealand-based Pukeko Pictures, with world-famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, The Lord of the Rings) designing the series and producing the miniatures. The 26 x 30’ major new children’s series will debut on ITV and UK’s CITV Channel in 2015.
So, who would believe it? DavidGrahamreturnsasParker in Thunderbirds Are Go! What do you think about the casting decisions? Let us know on the Fanderson Facebook Group and Fanderson Forum.
Want to celebrate the exciting news with an episode of the original, ‘classic’ Thunderbirds? Check out our Thunderbirds episode guide and choose your viewing pleasure!
TV and radio presenter Chris Evans has launched a year-long fundraising campaign that aims to raise one million pounds for Breast Cancer Care with the help of FAB 1!
Lady Penelope’s famous car (a bespoke pink Rolls-Royce Ghost) will be driven by Evans and other celebrities in a point-to-point journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Evans will share the driving duties with Gary Barlow, Professor Brian Cox and James May, with pitstops in Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow en-route.
The FAB1 Million project aims to raise funds by making FAB1 available for hire on a daily basis to fans, with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Care. Standard charges are £5,000 inc VAT for a standard day and £7,500 inc VAT for a premium day, supplied with a full tank of fuel and professional chauffeur. FAB1 is ready to hit the road anywhere its passengers desire to go in the UK!
Additional premium packages will also be auctioned via the website, www.FAB1million.co.uk. in which the purchaser will secure tickets to an exclusive event as well as their FAB1 chauffeur-driven experience. These incredible packages include high -profile entertainment and sporting events such as Glorious Goodwood, The Silverstone Grand Prix, The Festival Of Speed, Britain’s Got Talent The Final, The Brit Awards and Royal Ascot.
The Rolls Royce to be used for the campaign has been meticulously prepared, explained Jolyon Nash, Director of Sales and Marketing, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
“The interior hosts hand-embroidered pink ribbons on each headrest, a rear-seat fridge and accents of Blushing Pink leather as well as sumptuous lambswool carpets and FAB1 treadplates. Door umbrellas feature pink handles and trim, while the exterior is beautifully offset by a silver satin bonnet and finished with an up-lit Spirit of Ecstasy to brighten each and every special occasion.”
FAB1 can be booked by calling the FAB1 Million booking line on 020 7960 3482, or you can find out more information by visiting www.FAB1million.co.uk
Additional fundraising activities will allow supporters to enter a competition and have a chance of winning FAB1 for a day by donating £5 to Breast Cancer Care. All you need to do is text FAB to 83222. Text entry to the draw costs 50p, plus the standard network rate. For full prize draw terms & conditions visit the website.
After the 833.3 mile drive across the UK, FAB1 will return to London where it will become the centrepiece of a window display in Harrods for one week, where FAB1 Million representatives will be on hand to answer any questions and take booking enquiries for the car.
Also in the Harrods FAB1 window display will be a very special contribution from Jamie Anderson – the son of the legendary Gerry Anderson. To sit alongside a replica Parker puppet owned by Gerry Anderson, Jamie is unveiling a Chris Evans-inspired Parker puppet (sculpted and built by Duncan Willis) created specially to celebrate the campaign.
Chris Evans said: “You can hire the most famous Rolls-Royce in the world as the icing on the cake to whatever special event you are attending or celebrating knowing that you are donating to a very worthy cause in the process. It’s a win win situation. So, if you can, do. FAB1 awaits your mission wherever you are and whatever you’re up to. 5-4-3-2-1! FAB1 Million is go!!!”
Fanderson, in association with 
