Tetley Tea Folk
Encyclopedia
The Tetley Tea Folk are animated characters used to advertise Tetley Tea
from 1973 to 2001, and from 2010 to present.
From the early 1980s, Tetley's advertising was written and produced by the advertising agency D'Arcy, while the Tea Folk illustrations and commercials were then animated by animator Richard Ollive.
There have been 67 animated television adverts and many appearances in papers, magazines, on packs, radio, the Internet, as well as Tea Folk memorabilia. Over 30 million Tea Folk items have been sold, and Tetley Tea Folk items can now be found in over five million British homes.
The Tea Folk have provided some of the most memorable advertising on Britain’s TV screens—well-known lines such as
These, along with the original Tetley tune and some notable soundtracks (Bill Withers’ "Lovely Day
"; Irving Berlin’s "Keep Me Warm"; "Reach Out I’ll Be There" by Holland, Holland and Dozier), have made Tetley’s Tea Folk adverts some of the most instantly recognisable ever seen.
The characters' voices have been supplied by some distinguished actors throughout the campaign. For many years, Gaffer’s distinctive voice was provided by the late Brian Glover
. He was later replaced by former Emmerdale
star Bobby Knutt, while Sunburn
s George Layton is the voice of Sidney.
"As part of an overall review of the marketing of the Tetley Tea brand in the UK, we are re-examining our Advertising Agency arrangements.
We cannot speculate on what changes this may lead to, and cannot say at this stage how it might affect the use of the Tea Folk in the future."
The Tea Folk were eventually replaced with a more modern campaign aimed at recruiting young tea drinkers.
aired. It showed an employee of Tetley spilling some Tetley tea, which caused the Tea Folk to wake from their decade's sleep. The second advert was shown in October which shows the Tea Folk exploring the factory, to the general awe of the factory's workers. They remark on how far Tetley has come, with introductions of product lines such as Green and Redbush tea. Their latest advert in April 2011 promotes the Redbush variety.
Sydney first appeared in 1975. Sydney is a gentle and kind fellow who is always on hand with a well-made cup of Tetley tea in times of a crisis. Although he may not be the cleverest of people, his kind heart and occasional daftness mean that, even when he gets himself into trouble, he is well loved and highly thought of by his peers.
Archie first appeared in 1993, and is the youngest of the Tea Folk. Archie is Gaffer’s nephew and although he is fascinated by Tetley tea, and is being groomed to one day step into Gaffer’s famous slippers, he is still at school. Archie is full of life and always inquisitive. This enquiring and mischievous nature has occasionally lands him in deep water until his Uncle Gaffer helps him out.
and Lledo
). According to Collecticus
magazine, a gold-trimmed Morris Minor money box, released in September 2006, is the most valuable of the collectables, worth as much as £200 on the secondary market.
Tetley
Tetley, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Global Beverages , is the world's second largest manufacturer and distributor of tea. Owned by India's Tata Group, Tetley's manufacturing and distribution business is spread across 40 countries and sells over 60 branded tea bags...
from 1973 to 2001, and from 2010 to present.
Tea Folk History
The late John McGill Lewis (1929 - 2009) of McCann Erickson originated The Tetley Tea Folk in 1973. The animated commercials were produced at Wyatt Cattaneo studios, where the Gaffer, Sidney, and supporting characters were designed by studio director Tony Cattaneo and animator Ramon Modiano. The series, from its start until the early 1980s, combined animation with live action sets and "props", such as real tea bags, cups, saucers, etc. The live action was first of all shot at the Morgan and Mount studios and later by Perkins StClaire. The series from its start until the early 1980s were animated by Ramon Modiano. The musical score for the "Tea Folk" song was composed by Ken Jones with the lyrics coming from their originator JM Lewis. The Art director was Alison de Vere. Towards the end of the 1970s, the Tetley Tea Folk account moved to the advertising agency D'Arcy, MacMannus and Macius.From the early 1980s, Tetley's advertising was written and produced by the advertising agency D'Arcy, while the Tea Folk illustrations and commercials were then animated by animator Richard Ollive.
There have been 67 animated television adverts and many appearances in papers, magazines, on packs, radio, the Internet, as well as Tea Folk memorabilia. Over 30 million Tea Folk items have been sold, and Tetley Tea Folk items can now be found in over five million British homes.
The Tea Folk have provided some of the most memorable advertising on Britain’s TV screens—well-known lines such as
- Tetley make tea bags make tea
- That’s Better. That’s Tetley.
- Only Tetley will do.
These, along with the original Tetley tune and some notable soundtracks (Bill Withers’ "Lovely Day
Lovely Day (song)
"Lovely Day" is a song by American soul and R&B singer Bill Withers. Published in 1977 , the song was written by Withers and Skip Scarborough and appears on Withers' 1978 album Menagerie....
"; Irving Berlin’s "Keep Me Warm"; "Reach Out I’ll Be There" by Holland, Holland and Dozier), have made Tetley’s Tea Folk adverts some of the most instantly recognisable ever seen.
The characters' voices have been supplied by some distinguished actors throughout the campaign. For many years, Gaffer’s distinctive voice was provided by the late Brian Glover
Brian Glover
Brian Glover was an English character actor, writer and wrestler. Glover was a professional wrestler, teacher, and finally a film, television and stage actor. He once said, "You play to your strengths in this game. My strength is as a bald-headed, rough-looking Yorkshireman".-Early life:Glover was...
. He was later replaced by former Emmerdale
Emmerdale
Emmerdale, is a long-running British soap opera set in Emmerdale , a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Created by Kevin Laffan, Emmerdale was first broadcast on 16 October 1972...
star Bobby Knutt, while Sunburn
Sunburn
A sunburn is a burn to living tissue, such as skin, which is produced by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, commonly from the sun's rays. Usual mild symptoms in humans and other animals include red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness. An excess of UV...
s George Layton is the voice of Sidney.
The End of the Tetley Tea Folk
In 2001, Tetley released the following statement:"As part of an overall review of the marketing of the Tetley Tea brand in the UK, we are re-examining our Advertising Agency arrangements.
We cannot speculate on what changes this may lead to, and cannot say at this stage how it might affect the use of the Tea Folk in the future."
The Tea Folk were eventually replaced with a more modern campaign aimed at recruiting young tea drinkers.
Return
On the 30th June 2010 it was announced that Tetley were to bring back the Tetley Tea Folk in a bid to reclaim the title of Britain's Best Tea Brand from PG Tips. The first advert was shown on September 20th when Coronation StreetCoronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
aired. It showed an employee of Tetley spilling some Tetley tea, which caused the Tea Folk to wake from their decade's sleep. The second advert was shown in October which shows the Tea Folk exploring the factory, to the general awe of the factory's workers. They remark on how far Tetley has come, with introductions of product lines such as Green and Redbush tea. Their latest advert in April 2011 promotes the Redbush variety.
Gaffer
Gaffer and Tetley go back a long way. He has worked his way up from Tea Boy to become the boss of the Tetley Tea Folk. He first appeared as the star of the very first Tea Folk advert in 1973. He is a bit of a perfectionist; after all, making the best cup of tea in the World is a big responsibility and he truly understands just how important Tetley tea is to people.Sydney
Sydney first appeared in 1975. Sydney is a gentle and kind fellow who is always on hand with a well-made cup of Tetley tea in times of a crisis. Although he may not be the cleverest of people, his kind heart and occasional daftness mean that, even when he gets himself into trouble, he is well loved and highly thought of by his peers.
Maurice
Maurice is the inventor - a mechanically minded engineering genius whose machines help to keep Tetley at the cutting edge of tea technology. Maurice is quiet, unassuming and practical with sparks of inspiration - an eccentric and gloriously unpredictable inventor constantly striving for excellence on behalf of Tetley. Maurice first appeared in 1982.Clarence
Clarence first appeared in 1988 - originally the "Waker Upper" who makes sure the hard-working Tea Folk all get to work on time. Clarence is fun loving, happy and exuberant, a young, cheeky character whose occasional over-enthusiasm has been known to earn him a kindly reprimand from Gaffer, although it is always for his own good. When it comes to his tea duties, Clarence is a serious hard-worker who is learning to take more responsibilityGordon
Gordon, who first appeared in 1989, is the Tea Folk gardener. Gordon is quiet, gentle and dependable. Gordon is the quiet, knowledgeable caretaker who lovingly and methodically maintains the Tetley Tea Garden. With his love of tea and knowledge of gardening he has personally cultivated the Tetley Tea RoseTina
Tina first appeared in 1990. She is caring, fun-loving and helpful. Tina has a special place in the hearts of all the Tetley Tea Folk team. Her straightforward approach to life means that she is often called upon to provide a listening and understanding female ear.Archie
Archie first appeared in 1993, and is the youngest of the Tea Folk. Archie is Gaffer’s nephew and although he is fascinated by Tetley tea, and is being groomed to one day step into Gaffer’s famous slippers, he is still at school. Archie is full of life and always inquisitive. This enquiring and mischievous nature has occasionally lands him in deep water until his Uncle Gaffer helps him out.
Tetley Tea Folk Collectables
A wide range of collectables have been produced focusing on the subject of the Tetley Tea Folk. Tetley has teamed up with some big-name companies (including WadeWade
- Places :* Wade, California* Wade, Maine* Wade, Mississippi* Wade, North Carolina* Wade Township, Clinton County, Illinois* Wade Township, Jasper County, Illinois* Wade County, Choctaw Nation, former political subdivision-Surname:...
and Lledo
Lledo
Lledo was a brand of die cast toys, founded in 1982 by Matchbox co-founder Jack Odell and Burt Russell. The factory produced diecast vehicles in Enfield, England from 1983 to 1999...
). According to Collecticus
Collecticus
Collecticus is a monthly magazine, focusing on the subject of affordable collectable items. The magazine is published by Wentrow Media in the United Kingdom. It is currently edited by Kevin Outlaw and printed by Hartley Publications....
magazine, a gold-trimmed Morris Minor money box, released in September 2006, is the most valuable of the collectables, worth as much as £200 on the secondary market.