2 November 1989 (1989-11-02) – 27 August 1998 (1998-08-27)
The Riddlers is a British children's programme produced by Yorkshire Television for ITV between 2 November 1989 and 27 August 1998.
Synopsis
The series centred on Marjorie Dawe and the two Riddlers (small humanoid creatures, portrayed by puppets, whose main aim in life was to "riddle things out") named Mossop (voiced by Richard Robinson) and Tiddler (female, but voiced by Mike Gallant), who inhabited her garden at Riddleton End. It would later be revealed that Tiddler was an orphan and had no other next of kin, so Mossop adopted Tiddler as an infant. Tiddler was not the latter's real name, but a title given to young apprentice Riddlers: once they achieved full Riddler status there would be a special (graduation type) ceremony, at which they would be given their 'real' name. Tiddler's training included being told twelve stories by a Riddlestone, usually one of 'Eesup's Foibles' (Yorkshire dialect for Aesop's Fables) – she would then have to 'riddle out' the moral of the story.
When Tiddler had achieved full Riddler status (by getting the morals of twelve stories correctly) she chose to be called Tiddlup at the ceremony. Marjorie wanted to go to the ceremony but was told by Mossop that only Riddlers and Tiddlers could go as it was a Riddler law. In order to go, she became a Riddler and started to study as a Riddler.
Other characters featured in the show included Marjorie's neighbour, Mr. Montgomery Grimley (a gardener and odd-job man), and several other Riddler characters – including another Tiddler known as Middler, Mossop's brother Glossop, and Eesup, a story-teller. Marjorie's sister Monica was also featured as a recurring character. Many of the plots featured in the series revolved around the male characters making mistakes which would then be solved by the female ones.
Total of episodes were produced and broadcast during the series' nine-year run. For much of its run, The Riddlers was produced by Ian Fell and directed by Chris Ryder (later a series producer).[1] Later series were directed by Ann Ayoub. The executive producer was Chris Jelley.
All episodes were written by Rick Vanes (whose previous work for YTV included Puddle Lane and Mooncat). Eesup's Foibles stories were written by Shirley Isherwood. Neil Innes provided the music and songs featured. Puppeteer for Middler and Mossop, Richard Robinson, created the puppets and provided illustrations for the Eesup's Foibles stories. David Baker was assistant puppeteer series 1 through 6 and Garry Rutter for the show's last three years.
Garry Rutter would later work on MacDonalds Farm puppeteering Baa Baa and The Fimbles Doing animatronic work.
Many of the programmes were recorded in Yorkshire Television's studios on Kirkstall Road, Leeds, although some later episodes were filmed on location. Five VHS releases were issued by Video Collection International, two DVDs were issued by Kids Club (VCI) and several tie-in books were published.
An episode from the fifth series was broadcast on the CITV channel on 6 January 2013, as part of a weekend of archive programmes to celebrate CITV's 30th anniversary.
Transmission guide
Series 1 (1989-1990)
No. in season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original release date
1
"Moving In"
Unknown
Unknown
2 November 1989 (1989-11-02)
Marjorie has just moved in to Riddleton End a small cottage in the countryside. To her delight she discovers that two Riddlers living in the garden, the magical little folk who find human ways very confusing.
2
"A Present for Marjorie"
Unknown
Unknown
9 November 1989 (1989-11-09)
The Riddlers want to give Marjorie a present, but they have some odd ideas about what it should be.
3
"The Wedding Hat"
Unknown
Unknown
16 November 1989 (1989-11-16)
Lampshades can look like hats and Mossop needs a hat for a wedding he's been invited to attend.
4
"The House-Warming Party"
Unknown
Unknown
23 November 1989 (1989-11-23)
Thanks to Mr Grimley there's insufficient food to go round at Marjorie's house warming party.
5
"The Riddling Tree"
Unknown
Unknown
30 November 1989 (1989-11-30)
Filbert the squirrel will get a new home if Tiddler can work out the answer to the secrets of the Riddling Tree.
6
"The Potted Plants"
Unknown
Unknown
7 December 1989 (1989-12-07)
Mossop can't tell the difference between a pedal bin and a plant pot.
7
"Sleepy Heads"
Unknown
Unknown
14 December 1989 (1989-12-14)
The Riddlers have trouble with a hammock especially as Mossop wants to sleep in it at the bottom of the well.
8
"Riddling Boots"
Unknown
Unknown
21 December 1989 (1989-12-21)
A Riddler's proudest possession is his Riddling Boots and Tiddler can hardly wait for the day she gets hers. In the meantime, she borrows Mossop's but unfortunately things go wrong.
9
"Fishing"
Unknown
Unknown
11 January 1990 (1990-01-11)
Mossop and Tiddler are fishing in the well but don't want to catch a fish. Marjorie is confused!
10
"The Fairy"
Unknown
Unknown
18 January 1990 (1990-01-18)
One of the most magical things in the garden is the fairy but you can only see her if you believe in her.
11
"Decisions, Decisions"
Unknown
Unknown
25 January 1990 (1990-01-25)
Have the Riddlers got a better way than humans when it comes to making decisions?
12
"Missing the Bus"
Unknown
Unknown
1 February 1990 (1990-02-01)
Mossop and Tiddler help Marjorie because she has such a lot to do before going to the theatre and she could miss her bus.
13
"Gone Camping"
Unknown
Unknown
8 February 1990 (1990-02-08)
An unusual object in the garden found when they return from holiday puzzles Tiddler but Mossop is confident he knows what it is.
14
"Mossop the Strongman"
Unknown
Unknown
15 February 1990 (1990-02-15)
A strange large box has been delivered to the house. What secret does it contain?
15
"The Flittering"
Unknown
Unknown
22 February 1990 (1990-02-22)
Tiddler tells a ghost story but Mr Grimley isn't afraid of anything or so he says!
16
"Bothersome Birds"
Unknown
Unknown
1 March 1990 (1990-03-01)
Mossop has plans to frighten away the birds because they have been pecking holes in Marjorie's milk bottle tops.
17
"Grimley's Tuba"
Unknown
Unknown
8 March 1990 (1990-03-08)
Mossop and Tiddler find Mr Grimley's tuba but can't work out what it is.
18
"In Search of the Lost Nuts"
Unknown
Unknown
15 March 1990 (1990-03-15)
Mr Grimley strikes lucky in a surprising way when Filbert loses his hoard of nuts as he awakens from his winter sleep.
19
"Tiddler's Beads"
Unknown
Unknown
22 March 1990 (1990-03-22)
Marjorie helps Tiddler to thread some colourful beads on to a string. But when Mossop comes along, things begin to go wrong.
20
"Postie the Prisoner"
Unknown
Unknown
29 March 1990 (1990-03-29)
Mossop, Tiddler and Marjorie look everywhere for the postman, but he's nowhere to be seen.
21
"Robins Nest"
Unknown
Unknown
5 April 1990 (1990-04-05)
Mr Grimley is proud of his discovery but the others have their doubts.
22
"House-Hunting"
Unknown
Unknown
12 April 1990 (1990-04-12)
Mossop tries to find a new home for himself and Tiddler then has an unfortunate accident.
23
"Mossop Shows the Way"
Unknown
Unknown
19 April 1990 (1990-04-19)
Things go wrong when Mossop and Tiddler wearing blindfold play follow my leader. When Marjorie suggests an alternate game, things get even worse.
24
"Peace and Quiet"
Unknown
Unknown
26 April 1990 (1990-04-26)
Mossop and Tiddler find a new way of lighting the well.
25
"That's Torn It"
Unknown
Unknown
3 May 1990 (1990-05-03)
Mossop's trousers are torn and Marjorie lends a hand.
26
"Tiddler's Time Magic"
Unknown
Unknown
10 May 1990 (1990-05-10)
Mossop suggests that Tiddler should use a magic spell to allow Marjorie and Mr Grimley to see the Dawn Fairy.
Series 2 (1990-1991)
No. in season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original release date
1
"Mossop Needs a Haircut"
Unknown
Unknown
15 November 1990 (1990-11-15)
Tiddler sends Mossop for a haircut.
2
"Rat in the Garden"
Unknown
Unknown
22 November 1990 (1990-11-22)
A cat called Simon and a rat called Bella are found in the garden by Mossop and Tiddler. But is Bella nasty or nice?
3
"Middler"
Unknown
Unknown
29 November 1990 (1990-11-29)
There's a shock for Marjorie who thought that Mossop and Tiddler were the only Riddlers living in her garden.
4
"A Present from Middler"
Unknown
Unknown
6 December 1990 (1990-12-06)
Middler's present to Mossop is quite surprising.
5
"Tiddler at Bedtime"
Unknown
Unknown
13 December 1990 (1990-12-13)
Tiddler protests because she always has to go to bed first.
6
"The Siege of Riddleton End"
Unknown
Unknown
20 December 1990 (1990-12-20)
Mossop and Tiddler prepare to defend their garden.
7
"In the Soup"
Unknown
Unknown
10 January 1991 (1991-01-10)
Mossop and Mr Grimley make some soup with a difference when Marjorie tells them she isn't very well.
8
"Tiddletricks Day"
Unknown
Unknown
17 January 1991 (1991-01-17)
Tiddletricks Day is the special day that the Riddlers play tricks on people, so Marjorie had better be on her guard.
9
"The Singing Tree"
Unknown
Unknown
24 January 1991 (1991-01-24)
Middler is trying to convince the Riddlers that the riddling tree is a singing tree.
10
"Grooming Grimley"
Unknown
Unknown
31 January 1991 (1991-01-31)
The Riddlers help to smarten up Mr Grimley for a new job.
11
"Daft as Brushes"
Unknown
Unknown
7 February 1991 (1991-02-07)
12
"Mossop Builds a Car"
Unknown
Unknown
14 February 1991 (1991-02-14)
Marjorie learns to ride a bike and Mossop goes for a spin.
13
"Cat on the Run"
Unknown
Unknown
21 February 1991 (1991-02-21)
Tiddler is not happy when Mossop tells Marjorie a fib.
14
"Wet Paint"
Unknown
Unknown
28 February 1991 (1991-02-28)
Mossop talks Tiddler into helping him to surprise Marjorie.
15
"Spring Time for Middler"
Unknown
Unknown
7 March 1991 (1991-03-07)
16
"A Question of Balance"
Unknown
Unknown
14 March 1991 (1991-03-14)
17
"Mossop the Artist"
Unknown
Unknown
21 March 1991 (1991-03-21)
18
"Middler the Invisible"
Unknown
Unknown
28 March 1991 (1991-03-28)
19
"The Mystery of the Shrinking Tiddler"
Unknown
Unknown
4 April 1991 (1991-04-04)
20
"Mossop Loses His Voice"
Unknown
Unknown
11 April 1991 (1991-04-11)
21
"The Flood"
Unknown
Unknown
18 April 1991 (1991-04-18)
22
"Red Herring"
Unknown
Unknown
25 April 1991 (1991-04-25)
23
"Stop, Look and Listen"
Unknown
Unknown
2 May 1991 (1991-05-02)
Marjorie comes up with some original ways to learn how to cross the road.
24
"The Lighting Machines"
Unknown
Unknown
9 May 1991 (1991-05-09)
25
"Holiday Plans"
Unknown
Unknown
16 May 1991 (1991-05-16)
Mossop decides that a flying holiday would make a nice change but can Riddlers fly?
26
"Tiddler's Test"
Unknown
Unknown
23 May 1991 (1991-05-23)
Series 3 (1991-1992)
No. in season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original release date
1
"Stones from the Sky"
Unknown
Unknown
12 December 1991 (1991-12-12)
2
"Lights Out"
Unknown
Unknown
19 December 1991 (1991-12-19)
3
"Treasure of Riddleton End"
Unknown
Unknown
9 January 1992 (1992-01-09)
4
"Mossop the Hero"
Unknown
Unknown
16 January 1992 (1992-01-16)
5
"Mossop and Grimley - Builders"
Unknown
Unknown
23 January 1992 (1992-01-23)
6
"Middler's Invisible Horse"
Unknown
Unknown
30 January 1992 (1992-01-30)
7
"A Brush with Mossop"
Unknown
Unknown
6 February 1992 (1992-02-06)
8
"The Riddlestone Necklace"
Unknown
Unknown
13 February 1992 (1992-02-13)
9
"The Search for a Riddling Tree"
Unknown
Unknown
20 February 1992 (1992-02-20)
10
"Top Hat and Tails"
Unknown
Unknown
27 February 1992 (1992-02-27)
11
"The Honorary Riddler"
Unknown
Unknown
5 March 1992 (1992-03-05)
12
"A Riddler at Last"
Unknown
Unknown
12 March 1992 (1992-03-12)
13
"Mossop's Magic Cleaner"
Unknown
Unknown
19 March 1992 (1992-03-19)
14
"Tiddlup Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
Unknown
Unknown
26 March 1992 (1992-03-26)
15
"Mossop the Thinker"
Unknown
Unknown
2 April 1992 (1992-04-02)
16
"Learning to Teach"
Unknown
Unknown
9 April 1992 (1992-04-09)
17
"Counting on Mossop"
Unknown
Unknown
16 April 1992 (1992-04-16)
18
"Skate Expectations"
Unknown
Unknown
23 April 1992 (1992-04-23)
19
"The Speeding Detective"
Unknown
Unknown
30 April 1992 (1992-04-30)
20
"The Magnificent Handcart"
Unknown
Unknown
7 May 1992 (1992-05-07)
21
"Spider, Spider"
Unknown
Unknown
14 May 1992 (1992-05-14)
22
"Heavy Reading"
Unknown
Unknown
21 May 1992 (1992-05-21)
23
"Cold Comfort Cottage"
Unknown
Unknown
28 May 1992 (1992-05-28)
24
"That's Hen-Tertainment"
Unknown
Unknown
4 June 1992 (1992-06-04)
Series 4 (1992-1993)
Water Music - 26 November 1992
Belt and Braces - 3 December 1992
Worrying Developments - 10 December 1992
Edgar Saves the Day - 17 December 1992
Water, Water Anywhere? - 7 January 1993
Not Wanted on Voyage - 14 January 1993
Camp Sights - 21 January 1993
Beside the Seaside - 28 January 1993
Tickets To Ride - 4 February 1993
A Head for Heights - 11 February 1993
Fish & Ships - 18 February 1993
A Room for the Knight - 25 February 1993
A Ticklish Problem - 4 March 1993
Getting in Shape - 11 March 1993
Return To Lender - 18 March 1993
The Riddler Christmas - 25 March 1993
Mossop on His Metal - 1 April 1993
Mossop the Genius - 8 April 1993
Too Big for His Boots - 15 April 1993
A Few Hiccups - 22 April 1993
The New Mossy Boots - 29 April 1993
Special Delivery - 6 May 1993
Doing Things Day - 13 May 1993
Series 5 (1993-1994)
Relatively Speaking – 7 September 1993
Squeamish - 9 September 1993
A Miner Problem - 14 September 1993
The Tooth Will Out – 16 September 1993
Back To School - 21 September 1993
Legend of the Vampire Hedgehog - 23 September 1993
Lucks and Ducks – 28 September 1993
A Whale of a Time – 30 September 1993
A Shady Character - 5 October 1993
A Complete Washout - 7 October 1993
The Wrong Lines - 12 October 1993
Not So Smart - 14 October 1993
A Hat For Middler - 19 October 1993
All the Fun of the Festival - 21 October 1993
Middler the Plotter - 26 October 1993
Daring in the Diary - 28 October 1993
Feeding Time - 2 November 1993
The Stowaway - 4 November 1993
The Isle Of Riddlers - 9 November 1983
The Rocket - 11 November 1993
The Missing Tickets - 16 November 1993
Vikings And Black Dogs - 18 November 1993
Three Legs, Four Horns, Seven Kingdoms - 23 November 1993
Fairies and Tales - 25 November 1993
Who’s Been Sleeping In My Cellar - 2 December 1993
Oh Brother - 7 December 1993
A Job at the Circus - 9 December 1993
Roll Up, Fall Down - 14 December 1993
Glossop Moves In - 16 December 1993
The Unwelcome Guest - 4 January 1994
Series 6 (1994-1995)
All Fall Down - 8 September 1994
Home and Wahey! - 15 September 1994
In Branches Everywhere - 22 September 1994
Trouble In Store - 29 September 1994
The Super Well - 6 October 1994
A Caravan For Middler - 13 October 1994
Flight To Holy Island - 20 October 1994
On Hadrian’s Wall - 27 October 1994
Dipping And Tripping - 3 November 1994
Tiddlup At The Wicket - 10 November 1994
A Face From The Past - 17 November 1994
Job Hunting - 24 November 1994
Last With The News - 1 December 1994
The Riddleton Circus - 8 December 1994
Punch And Judy - 15 December 1994
Oh, Baby! - 12 January 1995
Hush A Bye Mossop - 19 January 1995
Mossop Steps Out - 26 January 1995
A Tiddler At Play School - 2 February 1995
Mossop Returns - 9 February 1995
Series 7 (1995-1996)
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow - 7 September 1995
Just for Kicks - 14 September 1995
A Test for Middler - 21 September 1995
Trick Cycling - 28 September 1995
Where on Earth? - 5 October 1995
French Lessons - 12 October 1995
Bon Appetit - 19 October 1995
Alarms and Excursions - 26 October 1995
Eesup - 2 November 1995
Let's Loose in the Library - 9 November 1995
A Tiddler’s Best Friend - 16 November 1995
It’s a Dog's Life - 23 November 1995
Dog Tired - 30 November 1995
The Phantom Piper - 7 December 1995
Loch Ness Mess - 14 December 1995
Cabers and Kilts - 4 January 1996
Highland Fun and Games - 11 January 1996
A Little Bit Of Dirt - 18 January 1996
At the Hospital - 25 January 1996
Mossop the Invalid - 1 February 1996
Thanks a Lot - 8 February 1996
Flea Market - 15 February 1996
Mossop the Conkeror - 22 February 1996
Grimley the Golfer - 29 February 1996
Listen To The Band - 7 March 1996
Series 8 (1996-1997)
Vote for Mossop - 12 September 1996
The Chief Riddler - 19 September 1996
Statue There? - 26 September 1996
Your Place Or Mine - 3 October 1996
Well Dressed Wells - 10 October 1996
Light Fantastic - 17 October 1996
Middler’s Mansion - 24 October 1996
The Tiddlers' Holiday Camp - 31 October 1996
Tickling Trout - 7 November 1996
Daylight Snobbery - 14 November 1996
Rootin' Tootin' Cowboys - 21 November 1996
Under The Greenwood Tree - 28 November 1996
A-Hunting We Will Go - 5 December 1996
Eesup Junior - 12 December 1996
Not A Leg To Stand On - 19 December 1996
Chairs And Stairs - 9 January 1997
Mossop Calling - 16 January 1997
Middler’s Taxi Service - 23 January 1997
Lollipop Middler - 30 January 1997
Clothes For Your Nose - 6 February 1997
Highly Alarming - 13 February 1997
A Word In The Hand... - 20 February 1997
Leisure Hunt - 27 February 1997
Stereo-oh! - 6 March 1997
Playing Chopsticks - 13 March 1997
Series 9 (1997-1998)
Ideal Home - 9 September 1997
Dumb Waiter - 16 September 1997
That Sinking Feeling - 23 September 1997
All Stuck Up - 30 September 1997
All at Sea - 7 October 1997
Castaways - 14 October 1997
On the Line - 21 October 1997
Cycling Proficiency - 28 October 1997
Middler's Cafe - 4 November 1997
Metal Detector - 11 November 1997
The Time Machine - 18 November 1997
Mystery in History - 25 November 1997
Back to the Stone Age - 2 December 1997
Blow Up - 16 December 1997
Spooks Of Riddleton End - 18 June 1998
Mossop’s Art Gallery - 25 June 1998
Good Sports - 2 July 1998
Hoe, Hoe, Hoe - 9 July 1998
Riddler Scouts - 16 July 1998
Tall and Small and Basketball - 23 July 1998
Creepy Crawlies - 30 July 1998
Fashion Victims - 6 August 1998
Little Red Riding Hood - 13 August 1998
That’s Rich - 20 August 1998
Good Morning, Mr. Magpie - 27 August 1998
UK VHS releases
VHS Title
Release Date
Episodes
The Riddlers: Mossop Needs A Haircut And Other Stories (YTVE 17)
1991
Mossop Needs A Haircut, Siege of Riddlers End, Daft As A Brush, Holiday Plans
The Riddlers: Mossop The Hero And Other Stories (VC1264)
5 October 1992
Stones From the Sky, Lights Out, The Treasure of Riddleton End, Mossop the Hero
The Riddlers: The Riddlestone Necklace And Other Stories (VC1278)
8 February 1993
Mossop and Grimley Builders, Middler's Invisible Horse, A Brush with Mossop, The Riddlestone Necklace
The Riddlers: A Riddler at Last and Other Stories (VC1309)
5 July 1993
The Search For a Riddling Tree, Top Hat and Tails, The Honorary Riddler, A Riddler at Last
The Riddlers: Mossop The Thinker and Other Stories (KC1513)
9 March 1998
Mossop's Magic Cleaner, Tiddlup Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Mossop The Thinker, Learning To Teach
