Jossy's Giants
Jossy's Giants was a children's footballing comedy drama that ran on BBC1 between 1986 and 1987. The show's plot centred around the ups and downs of a boys' football team, the Glipton Giants (formally Glipton Grasshoppers), and their enthusiastic Geordie manager Joswell 'Jossy' Blair.
The show was written by darts commentator and television personality Sid Waddell, himself a native of Newcastle upon Tyne. In total, only ten episodes were made; the distinctive theme tune was written by Mike Amatt. Both series' football club scenes were shot at a football club in Middleton, now a housing estate. Exterior scenes were shot in and around Stalybridge and the studio material was shot at BBC Oxford Road. The Producer/Director Edward Pugh became an Executive Producer and ran Children's Programmes Department at BBC Manchester after the series.
The show was written by darts commentator and television personality Sid Waddell, himself a native of Newcastle upon Tyne. In total, only ten episodes were made; the distinctive theme tune was written by Mike Amatt. Both series' football club scenes were shot at a football club in Middleton, now a housing estate. Exterior scenes were shot in and around Stalybridge and the studio material was shot at BBC Oxford Road. The Producer/Director Edward Pugh became an Executive Producer and ran Children's Programmes Department at BBC Manchester after the series.
Stars
Many of the child actors from the series have long since left the acting profession, although Jim Barclay (who played Jossy Blair) still appears on British television in such programmes as My Family and Blessed. Julian Walsh (who played Harvey) has also forged out a relatively good acting career, appearing in many TV shows such as Sorted. Walsh was also the chosen 'face' of the Warburton's Bread TV advertising campaign in 2007. He is still acting today and has appeared in notable programmes, such as Jimmy McGovern's The Street, alongside Bob Hoskins. Julie Foy, who played Tracey Gaunt, went onto appear in Press Gang and Coronation Street, while Suzanne Hall, who appeared in four episodes as Harvey's girlfriend Opal, has been in Hollyoaks since 2005 as Suzanne Ashworth. The sound track to jossy giants theme sung by Sid Waddell
Jossy's Giants Photos
Cast
Jossy Blair Jim Barclay
Albert Hanson Christopher Burgess
Tracey Gaunt Julie Foy
Bob Nelson John Judd
Ross Nelson Mark Gillard
Ricky Sweet Paul Kirkbright
Harvey McGuinn Julian Walsh
Glenn Rix Stuart McGuinness
Ian 'Selly' Sellick Ian Sheppard
Wayne Chapman Oliver Orr
Daz Lee Quarmby
Cllr Glenda Fletcher Jenny McCracken
Albert Hanson Christopher Burgess
Tracey Gaunt Julie Foy
Bob Nelson John Judd
Ross Nelson Mark Gillard
Ricky Sweet Paul Kirkbright
Harvey McGuinn Julian Walsh
Glenn Rix Stuart McGuinness
Ian 'Selly' Sellick Ian Sheppard
Wayne Chapman Oliver Orr
Daz Lee Quarmby
Cllr Glenda Fletcher Jenny McCracken