Memorable TV Advertising Mascots - Classic British TV

From Tony the Tiger to the Honey Monster and Captain Birdseye to Buzby, today’s Stuview TV video looks back at some of the most memorable mascots in the history of British television adverts. As an added bonus, I’ll also be remembering some advertising mascots who are now somewhat forgotten.
Picture Credit for Old English Sheepdog Puppy: www.flickr.com...
If you have enjoyed this video, there are lots more just like it on the Stuview TV channel. From memories of 70s and 80s TV shows and classic British comedy, to forgotten nostalgic treasures and fun 70s/80s quiz games.
Subscribe to the Stuview TV channel for more warm nostalgia here / stuviewtv
You can help Stuview TV continue to grow by pressing the like button if you enjoy a video, sharing videos with your friends & family and subscribing to the channel.
Many thanks for watching!

[@scottw.3258]

I used to work in a Nestle Warehouse years ago. One day i was inspecting the pallets of 'Milky Bars' when they toppled over and fell on top of me. I was trapped for hours as every time i shouted 'The Milky bars are on me!!', everyone cheered.

[@stuviewtv]

Love it!

[@Julie-sm7sp]

😂😂😂

[@rosegolding925]

🤣❤

[@sarahlewis7669]

My Nana had a dog that was only 6 weeks old when she got him. He was a yellow Labrador cross and very intelligent. My Nana let me name him and because he looked like the andrex dog I wanted to call him Andy. That was in 1979/80. He had a very long life and was my best friend. I still miss him to this day. Thank you for bringing back those good old memories of time I wish I could relive with my best friend.

[@stuviewtv]

Glad that the video has brought back such lovely memories for you.

[@randomsliceofcakeofficial]

2:08 When I was younger I was terrified of the Honey Monster! 😂

[@Pomdownuder]

"Watch out, Watch out, There's a Humphrey about"? The unigate dairy campaign Thanks for taking us all back, nostalgic tour🎉

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

Wasn't 'Humphrey' revealed later on to be a cat?

[@Richard-fv7rq]

That was fantastic watching these old adverts, I remember them all. Thanks for the memories Stu.

[@stuviewtv]

You are very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. Many thanks!

[@j0hnf_uk]

I remember all of these. The 70's ads always seemed more homely, for some reason. Especially those with Joss Ackland doing the voice overs!

[@stuviewtv]

You're spot on with them seeming more homely back in the 70s. They certainly weren't as loud as many of the modern ads seem to be.

[@stewartfooter3580]

Frosties adds were so good,used to love the toys were awsome,honey monster was the goat lol those days were the best

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

"It's 6.35 and I'm 'COMING ALIVE'!" "Tell 'em about the hunny mummy" Loved the ads with the wonderful Henry McGee How we shouted those phrases out around the playground!

[@trudysimms1564]

I loved the BT ads from the 80's with Maureen Lipman as Beattie (BT). Anthony, people will always need plates! 😂

[@stuviewtv]

Oh yes, they were great!

[@Pomdownuder]

You've got an "ology" you're a scientist" 😅.

[@alexispaterson814]

Watching these old adverts it's amazing how many famous actors have stared in them. I'm sure the middle mate of George is Phil Davis. I grew up watching a black and white tv so it's nice to see them in colour.

[@stuviewtv]

Oh yes, I think you could be right there. The tall one with the glasses is the late Gary Olsen.

[@gregsmith3056]

Keep them coming Stu I absolutely love going down memory lane.

[@stuviewtv]

That's great to hear. Many thanks!

[@BarryFrancis]

The Milk Tray advert reminds me of a fancy dress birthday party I went to when I was 11. One of the other boys came dressed in black with his head bandaged and an arm in a sling, on his back was a sign saying “Next time she can get her own chocolates”. Another iconic character from an advert is Maureen Lipman’s Beattie from the British Telecom adverts. “He’s got an ology and he says he’s failed. You get an ology you’re a scientist.” Finally I don’t know if he counts as an advertising mascot as it was a public information campaign but I really remember Charlie the cat from the Charlie Says… shorts.

[@JSmooth-YouTube]

⚡The Prodigy did a trippy dance anthem, about Charly ~ here is the official music video...! 👀🎶😺🤣 m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYS3c3mQYrmiaKc&pp=ygUSdGhlIHByb2RpZ3kgY2hhcmx5

[@CaroleEvans93436]

A few more I can think of : Tufty - the road safety squirrel; The characters from Rice Crispies ad; Bisto kids; Heinz soup - grandad; Cornflake cockerel; Green cross road man; Fox's polar bear; Charlie the cat with the boy

[@stuviewtv]

Brilliant suggestions. Think I may have to do a sequel!

[@catherinewood5519]

Enjoyed this nostalgic video. You reminded me of another TV character Mr. J R Hartley from Yellow Pages. He may not have been an actual mascot, but I remember him fondly. Does anyone else remember him and those lovely YP adverts from the 80’s?

[@stuviewtv]

Very fondly.

[@fus149hammer5]

The book Fly Fishing was so popular they actually published one and the shop in London they used in one scene become quite a tourist destination. We all remember JR Hartley. 😊

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

@@fus149hammer5 "no luck Dad?, never mind"

[@scotbear3820]

Lovely trip through my childhood, there was one missing tho The Crests Bear with his tag line of it's frothy man!

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

Yeah! loved Cresta. Dont think there's a modern equivalent.

[@nez9751]

Sugar puffs were great, haven’t had them for years. But I always loved em.

[@jimmyviaductophilelawley5587]

The KP crisps monks!!! Fox's glacier mints! You got me on a roll Stu! Great video mate! Thanks!

[@stuviewtv]

Cheers Jimmy! Glad you enjoyed it mate. Keep 'em coming!

[@ashdrive]

Oh how I truly love this blast from the past..

[@stuviewtv]

That's great to hear! Thanks.

[@stevewhelan3725]

Great vid Stu, I just had a flashback of the John Smiths add with Gordon Rawlings & a dog.

[@Julie-sm7sp]

Loved the PG Tips chimps 😂 definitely wouldn't be allowed now, not sure if you could call her a mascot but i used to love the BT adverts with Maureen Lipman, great video stu ❤

[@stuviewtv]

Thank you!

[@thomascook578]

Absolutely loved this, i remember the Hoffmeister beer, he was a diamond geezer.

[@suecallaway]

I loved the Smash robots and the honey monster

[@naznomad635]

Best mascot we never saw, the Unigate Humphreys.

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

I'm sure later on it was revealed to be a cat?

[@thereunionparty]

Those Cadbury's Smash adverts were so funny. Sometimes when I see adverts these days I can't even make out what the product is they're selling.

[@jimbo6059]

There was also a nightclub in Redhill Surrey called Buzbys until the late 1980s.

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

Wow! yeah. I remember a bunch of us going there once but I dont think we got in.

[@jimbo6059]

@@Thenogomogo-zo3un I never got in, i used to March past it in full school uniform to the station every school day to get the train to Horley.

[@jennythescouser]

I still use Smash for thickening homemade soups, curries and stews, as well as making mash potato. Back in the day we used sing our version of the jingle "Smoke hash, get smashed".

[@susanleitch8649]

Enjoyed these! I also remember laughing at " Papa and Nicole".

[@jofisher9692]

George the Hofmeister bear is one of my favourites

[@centrevezgaming4862]

Archie the Skeleton from scotch videotapes adverts.

[@matthewhopkins666]

Re-record not fade away.

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

I loved him, he was oddly cute, like the Skeleton from Superted!

[@marathon8954]

Your videos are great. Please keep them coming. And the quizzes!

[@stuviewtv]

That's great to hear. Many thanks!

[@DavidNettleton-l3r]

So many great memories ,thank you ,bring em all back almost forgot about the hofmeister bear

[@Leoviliti1]

The Busby cartoon character was drawn by a young lad who lived round the corner to me in Dartford Kent..Kim Altrum. He took great pride in letting us all know his sketch was now being used for BT. Hence why I've never forgotten this peace of info 😂 although i may have misspelt his surname.. oh dear, bad me!

[@stuviewtv]

Great bit of info - thanks!

[@Rich.Aardvark]

I was reminded about the frosties free records on the front of the packets.

[@theandroids]

Thanks for keeping the nostalgia alive.

[@stuviewtv]

My pleasure!

[@martindunstan8043]

Hey Stu👍another great selection of memories, I remember all these well but for me one that sticks in my mind(not on this list) is the old boy J R Hartley trying to track his fly fishing book down using the yellow pages, not a glamorous ad pushing sugary foodstuffs so I've no idea why that ad sticks in my mind🤣thankyou for these, I sense a sequel on the horizon✌️

[@stuviewtv]

Cheers Martin. You may well be right about a sequel somewhere down the line!

[@Twisted_One_DIsturbed]

Gmg I feel old HANG ON I AM LOL Great clips 👍👍👍

[@ChristopherRobertHarris]

This one took me back. Great video and amusing commentary as well. Where have those days gone? Cheers.

[@stuviewtv]

Glad you enjoyed it! Many thanks.

[@QuoPaperPlane]

Looking at these mascots, does anyone, of a certain age, remember Victor Spanetti in an advertising campaign for McVities Jaffa cakes? He wore a burglars masks going around stealing the cakes?

[@rw8733]

Easily my favourite channel. Thanks, Stu. 😂

[@stuviewtv]

That's really great to hear! Thanks!

[@stewartfooter3580]

You get better and better with these! I remember as kid going to the phone box and asking to call the buzzby club lol smash adds were outstanding! At middle school i was eating a chewit and a milk tooth came out,thought oh well,popped another in and another tooth came out lol

[@stephenchecksfield632]

Great memories stuview keep em coming pure nostalgia I like it cheers 🥂

[@stuviewtv]

Many thanks!

[@herberthartwig8544]

Loved this Stu, thanks for the Memories 👍👍👍

[@stuviewtv]

My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed the memories.

[@OutandAboutwithDave]

Tony was my favourite,

[@trevorbrown6654]

Tony Hancock also advertised Frosties at one point and Kate Winslet was briefly in a Sugar puffs advert as a small girl (although you couldn't see her face). And I remember in the late 70s you could ring the operator and ask to speak to Busby, which was a recorded message asking questions to give the impression of interaction. I also had no idea the milk tray man played the role for 16 years, way longer than anyone played 007. I also recall there's a gag in an episode of Only Fools and Horses where Rodney points out the resemblance of Uncle Albert to Captain Birdseye.

[@stuviewtv]

That's a great gag in Only Fools. Del is expecting to be alone with his date in the flat and then realises Uncle Albert is going to be there too - "Gawd blimey, Captain Birdseye's here an' all!"

[@matthewhopkins666]

Dave Prowse AKA Darth Vader as the Green Cross Code man and the robot that looked like a cross between Metal Mickey and R2D2.

[@michaelshearing6410]

A brilliant video as usual Stu keep up the good work

[@stuviewtv]

Thanks as always! Much appreciated.

[@fraserkatie]

I have a Honey Monster costume which I used once and people knew who I was!

[@richardcambridge7326]

Great video. Sad as it may seem I love collecting vintage toys from these mascots. Another favourite of mine is the Cadbury’s Caramel bunny.

[@stuviewtv]

That's a great thing to collect. Glad you enjoyed the video. Many thanks!

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

Ahh, yes, the Caramel bunny 🐰🐇💖💖

[@stephenbuckby7700]

Great times good look with the book sales stu

[@stuviewtv]

Thanks!

[@weewhiskydram1294]

My old mates dad worked for BT and so my friend had a giant Busby sticker on his ceiling in his bedroom. Many a times I woke up to the sight of Busby after a sleep over. 😂

[@stuviewtv]

Love it!

[@gregduck7455]

Hello Stu I really enjoy your videos like this. I am a Canadian, always intrigues me to see ads that were never on TV here in the Dominion. Like the cool dude bear mascot promoting lager beer. Other products shown in your video I think are cool.

[@stuviewtv]

That's great to hear! Many thanks Greg!

[@gregduck7455]

@@stuviewtv Hiya Stu. Thanks for your kind reply. I really like the videos on your KZbin channel. Keep 'em coming! So cool to see what you post.

[@charlottehardy822]

I miss the sets of adverts from days gone by that had a theme or ongoing story such as those featured along with famous grouse, hamlet and even Clio adverts to an extent but my favourite ones were the gold blend love story which played out over a period and was even made into a, admittedly cheesy, book.

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

The Gold blend ones were really a hoot!

[@YNWA-oq5uf]

Glacier mint's. Fox and polar bear great stuff stu

[@stuviewtv]

Thanks!

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

My fav mascot, not on your list, was Homepride Fred - as voice by Sgt Wilson

[@Rogers1000]

I literally thought i was going mad over the hoffmiesters bear some people cant remember him older or my age!

[@steevobarker581]

Ahh those were the days eh? Milk Tray man wouldn't be allowed now. Would surely offend someone.... Phrases too "bet he drinks Carling Black Label" "Happiness is a cigar called Hamlet"... These days? All about box ticking.

[@stuviewtv]

Very true sadly.

[@gregsmith3056]

They be a shout of sexual harassment or stalking. 😂

[@tracysteele7652]

I absolutely loved this video brought back good memories of my childhood do u remember the shake and vac ad and all whites lemonade I'm a secret lemonade drinker😊

[@stuviewtv]

Oh yes, both classic ads! Glad you enjoyed the video. Many thanks!

[@TrumptonMayor]

Wow these uploads are like a relaxing breath of fresh air in these crazy times. Thank you Do you remember the Cresta bear and The Pillsbury Doughboy?

[@stuviewtv]

That's great to hear. Thank you! I remember both of those and used to love the Cresta bear.

[@Pomdownuder]

"It's frothy man" 🐻

[@lindathomas5500]

My aunts next door neighbour was the owner of the very first dulux dog. I remember when we went to go visit and stay with my aunt my brother and I would always play with the dog and take it for walks! 😂

[@stuviewtv]

Fantastic!

[@lindathomas5500]

@@stuviewtv Surprisingly they weren’t paid huge amounts BUT I do remember the lady telling my parents that she was also given a discount card for life. It wasn’t a stingy few percent or anything either, if I remember correctly (so long ago now) it was around 20 or 30% off their products.

[@matthewhopkins666]

Not strictly a mascot created for the brand but I loved the Hagar the Horrible ad campaign for Skol lager.

[@Pierre61]

Brilliant as always. It got me to thinking about the precursor to the Red Nose appendage that people attached to their cars for red nose day. There was a campaign by ESSO which asked if you had a 'Tiger in your tank' where, usually well mannered and sensible people would voluntarily attach a replica tiger tail to their filler cap. Not something I'd do now, [scratch that, I'd absolutely do it now]. I worked for Brook Bond from the mid 1990s until fairly recently and remember being astounded why they were ditching the monkey adverts, I'd always loved them! My eyes are a little more open now and I accept that my sensibilities were influenced by my absorption of TV from a young age. To me, "It ain't half hot mum" and "Mind your language" were just funny.: the care of the animals lay outside the box and my sphere of understanding. Age debilitates and informs in equal measure perhaps.

[@stuviewtv]

Same for me as regards the chimps. They were just a joy to watch when young but they become a little bitter sweet as you grow older.

[@annapasicznyk9254]

Tetley tea folk, Fairy liquid with Nanette Newman. Tic Tac adverts. Does anyone remember, Jelly Tots, Tiger Tots, Candy Tots, Bunny Tots?

[@blightysilko]

Always wanted to try smash but we were to poor 😢, years later after working as a chef for over 20 years I tried instant mash- wasn't all that if I'm honest, wasn't really missing out lol

[@Richard-fv7rq]

Stu, would you do something on 70's/80's car nostalgia? Cheers pal,

[@stuviewtv]

I have thought about doing something like that but I must admit I know next to nothing about cars. I am keeping the idea on my list though so you never know!

[@gamingtonight1526]

Sugar puffs have had the sugar taken out - they are now UGH!

[@jimmyviaductophilelawley5587]

The weetabix skinheads! The monster munch monsters! The Labbatt's mountie! And the ultimate mascot......The Prize Guy Yoghurt! The product WAS the mascot! GENIUS!

[@trevorbrown6654]

Not forgetting the Cadburys Caramel bunny with a west country accent and the cowboy in the Texan bar advert. One I've never forgotten even though I was only about 5 was the Humphries adverts for unigate milk. You never saw the Humphries, just the tops of the red and white straws marching past the camera whilst famous actors like Sid James looked on in disbelief.

[@shanebaker7153]

I remember they even brought out a book to do with the humphries that everyone was desperate to get when I was in junior school

[@mauricecasey866]

Watch out watch out there's a Humphrey about!

[@stuviewtv]

Oh yes, what a blast from the past that is!

[@Julie-sm7sp]

My mum used to say drink your milk or humphrey will drink it for you 😂

[@stuviewtv]

@@Julie-sm7spA great way to make sure you drank it all!

[@Julie-sm7sp]

@stuviewtv very true 😁

[@tracya4087]

thanks mate , from wigan lancashire

[@stuviewtv]

You are most welcome.

[@robsawalker]

Hofmeister... utterly rank!

[@thefrecklepuny]

George the Bear was at one point accused of encouraging the 'Lager Lout' culture of the mid to late 1980s.

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

Yep. Remember that

[@mauricecasey866]

Always wondered why Cadbury had instant mash as a product when everything else seemed to be chocolate based.

[@ThePsiclone]

yes, they missed a trick not making chocolate mash.

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

@@ThePsiclone Nestle dont miss a trick. They do everything.

[@hairydonuts6024]

Love the vid, as usual, & very good luck with the book, but you've missed out a couple quite important ones: The Humphries ('watch out, watch out, there's a Humphrey about!', remember that? Huge campagne at the time) & The Homepride Flour Men, who were on our screens for donkeys years. Maybe you should do a follow up? The Lurpak Butter Man could feature as could The Cresa Bear, the Tic Tac Private Eye etc. Ok, a couple have featured on you vid already, but who cares? They were still iconic mascots from the past. Plenty to choose from!

[@stuviewtv]

There could well be a sequel in the future.

[@hairydonuts6024]

@@stuviewtv Great stuff Stu, looking forward to it.

[@theandroids]

How many fillings did the chewits claim. 😔

[@Denisedale-pm1mm]

What about the focus mints . The fizzy drinks bear and the Humphrey straw s

[@oddjobtriumph1635]

George the Bear is still alive and kicking .... well actually it's Doug the Bear .... a mate of mine who walked and strutted like the Hoffmeister Bear ...and his dress sense .

[@tonybennett7681]

What's that intro music from please? It's driving me mad trying to remember!

[@stuviewtv]

It's the old Central TV ident music.

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

That Sugar Puffs advert I'm sure was hinting at a gay relationship! I always found the Honey Monster a little disturbing as a kid, he was like a furry Frankenstein, even the shoulders 😂 I loved Busby as a little kid and had a toy Busby, he had rubber legs and a furry face and body, very cute.

[@martryan2060]

Honey monster and Borris Johnson Seperated at birth ??????

[@stuviewtv]

You may to on to something there.

[@martryan2060]

@@stuviewtv also Keir Starmer is ringer for Alf the alien. Hairstyle and all ???

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

NOOOOO! I love the Honey monster!

[@thefrecklepuny]

Anyone remember a sort of feature film starring the Mash aliens?

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

I think a couple were made?

[@joanne26]

I remember all these advertising mascots. I suppose the Cadbury’s Smash was unusual but once 🇺🇸 had sent men to the moon lots of things like having to reconstitute food stuffs like Smash came in The tea adverts - I wonder which actors were the voices One sounds like Irene Handl??? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️❤️👍 👍

[@stuviewtv]

Spot on - it was Irene Handl.

[@joanne26]

@@stuviewtv I’m an ELVIS fan. I went to Graceland last April and spent 7 days around Memphis Prior to my holiday I set time watching lots of videos posted by likeminded fans One was of Sue Lawley who presented Nationwide probably early 80’s and Irene was a guest When she spoke she was so POSH I suppose you could say proper BBC speak ❤️❤️👍 👍

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

@@joanne26 Yes, seen her on interviews using 'received pronunciation'. Never knew what her real accent was, or was she just putting it on? Bit of a sad thing, saw her on TV-AM way back and she broke down in tears kept saying "They're all dead, gone" Anne Diamond went and gave her a hug then they cut to ads, after, Nick Owen reassured the viewers Irene was ok and been looked after. I been to Memphis twice. Went last in 2017, Lucky enough to see Lisa Marie and Priscilla on stage. It rained alot then

[@jimmyviaductophilelawley5587]

Tetleys tea folk the Homepride fella in the bowler hat Bertie Bassett country life butter?

[@stuviewtv]

All marvellous mascots!

[@AnthonyAndrews0128]

I belonged to the Buzby Club.

[@MrMarkg9]

3:24 Only JB on the box. I had all the books.

[@thomashunter9786]

Remember?: The Frenchman in the Cointreau advert Nicole & papa Renault Clio VW Golf lady Cadbury Flake girls Oxo family Nescafe Gold Blend couple Ambassador giving out Ferrero Rochers Child safety films - Charlie says...

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

Remember the French guy, "inimita je douvres" spelt that all wrong now all french speakers can kill me but thats what it sounded like. When I first got a bottle cant remember it saying all what he said on the label, as it looks like he's reading from it. Found him 'sleazy' Whats with the girl sitting in the middle of a field of wheat eating a Flake? Well, as a kid I reckon that would be a good place to eat one since as soon as you bit into it, it would disintegrate, pieces falling all over yourself, floor, furniture, just everywhere except your mouth. Only when I got older did I understand the jokes about the ad 😮

[@olsencarl]

Is your book on kindle unlimited?

[@leighstreet8298]

What was Kevin tips other catchphrase...

[@olsencarl]

Never mind it is and I found it

[@stuviewtv]

Fantastic.

[@thomashunter9786]

The Bisto Kids

[@stevewhitcher6719]

Regarding all the anthropomorphic "mascots" you have featured. I do wonder how how many of the UK "furries" in their 40's and 50's were made "furry" by adverts when they were Kids. That looks like Gary Olsen from 2.4 Children as one of the Fellas in the Hofmeister adverts.

[@stuviewtv]

It is indeed Gary Olsen.

[@Ginger_Dalek]

Didn't they try turning Captain Birdseye into a pirate character at one point? Not very well received either if I remember correctly...

[@trudysimms1564]

And now he's a "Silver Fox '!

[@bolshevikproductions]

George wears a trilby not a pork pie hat.

[@nez9751]

Me too 😂 to be honest the smash robots always scared me, didn’t like their voices and laugh.

[@Nemesis20252]

Can someone hurry up and invent time travel please

[@lizhumphries9100]

Felix the cat that is the cat food. mascot

[@jointgib]

so despite having a honey monster and a strapline 'tell 'em about the honey, mummy', sugar puffs contain no honey?

[@stuviewtv]

Yes, there's honey in them.

[@TheFoolishboy9]

Chewie. made me cringe. i'm sure he ate them without taking off the wrapper.