First broadcast on 25 November 1950, Whirligig was a fortnightly Saturday magazine programme devised for children by BBC producer Michael Westmore. It holds a special place in television history as the very first children’s programme to be broadcast live from the BBC Studios at Lime Grove in London.

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Combining puppets, adventures, music, and magic tricks, the series captured the imagination of post-war Britain. It also provided a launchpad for many well-known performers who would go on to become household names.

The show was presented by Humphrey Lestocq, known affectionately to viewers as “H.L.”, alongside his quick-witted companion Mr Turnip, operated and voiced by Joy Laurey. Together, they entertained a generation of children with humour, warmth, and ingenuity every other Saturday afternoon.

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Running from 1950 to 1956, Whirligig became one of the BBC’s most beloved children’s shows of its era. Though no complete footage is known to survive, scripts, production notes, and original artwork are preserved within the Joy Laurey Archive, keeping the spirit of Whirligig alive for its 75th anniversary and beyond.