Mammoth - meet the 70s legend “getting a second chance at life, even though he’s pretty sure he absolutely nailed it the first time around”

Hey there, it's Tony Mammoth here; ice-man, legend and all around top bloke. I see you're reading about my new series, so congratulations on having excellent taste!

There's lots to keep you entertained in this series - like me in proper shorts, me in a nice leather jacket and me driving my Ford Capri. There's also a pretty epic scene with a horse in it. A horse being expertly ridden. It's been a challenge getting my old life back, but rising to challenges is what I've always done. I think you know what I mean.

Quite a bit seems to have changed in the last 45 years. And by quite a bit, I mean nearly everything. But I think as long as you smell great, drive a nice car and get your round in, everything will work out for the best. Some of the time. More or less. And yes, the world was my oyster, when I first came back. People were obsessed with me. But I am much happier now that I am out of the spotlight, and everyone has moved on. And anyone who says that I miss the attention and adulation is a liar. And anyone who says they heard me say words to that effect , especially after a few pints, are a tell-tale. And also a liar.

Anyway, it's coming to BBC Two and something called BBC iPlayer on 17th April. I hope you enjoy it. Send me a letter if you do. If you'd like a reply, include a stamped addressed envelope. And a tenner to cover admin costs. If you don't like it, well that's your problem. In fact, take 10p, and go and phone someone who cares.…

Tony Mammoth is presumed killed in an Alpine avalanche in 1979 but discovered and brought back to life in the present day. Comedy starring Mike Bubbins, Sian Gibson, Joseph Marcell and Joel Davison, created by Mike Bubbins and co-written with Paul Doolan and directed by Simon Hynd. From BBC Studios Comedy Productions, the Producer is Luke Mason and the Executive Producers are Josh Cole and Steven Canny.

Interview with Mike Bubbins

Tony Mammoth seems like quite the character - tell us about him

He is a man's man and a woman's man, all rolled into one, or at least he thinks he is. He is a 45 year old man who never grew up, and a 90 year old man that never got old. He rarely thinks things through, he acts first. He has a wonderfully egalitarian approach to people; everyone, regardless of background or station, is either alright, or a dick. He loves his friends and family, almost as much as he loves Tony Mammoth. He is loving getting a second chance at life, even though he's pretty sure he absolutely nailed it the first time around.

Where did the inspiration for your character come from? Did you know men like this growing up?

I grew up in the late 70s and 1980s. I knew quite a few people not troubled by self-doubt, very much including my dad. Also, TV seemed to be full of larger than life characters.

How long has this character been someone you've been working on?

I probably first had the idea of Mammoth around ten or twelve years ago, but I've always found the frozen in time thing fascinating.

What were you doing in 1979, the year Mammoth goes missing?

I was living with my mum, dad and sister in in Barry, attending Mr Moore's primary school class. Mr Moore drove a convertible MG, had big sideburns, and coached the school football team. Very much a proto Mammoth.

Is it true you used to be a PE teacher yourself? Did you draw on any experiences there?

Yes, I taught PE for six years. I drew quite a bit in that experience. The school we filmed the Mammoth pilot in was the school I was teaching in before moving into comedy.

If you got frozen and had to wake up in a different time period when would you choose?

Ideally in about a day's time, because I wouldn't want to miss out on my kids growing up.

You seem to love the 70s! what's your favourite thing about the era that you think should be brought back?

I'd bring back proper cars, that all look and sound different. I'd bring back analogue; landlines, vinyl, books, TV. And proper collars.

What are your favourite tv characters from the 70s?

I loved, and still love, Kojak, Starsky and Hutch, Columbo, The Professionals, Tom Baker's Doctor, and Jim Rockford and Colonel Wilma Deering.

Tony Mammoth has a very distinctive 70s style…did you enjoy wearing his outfits? Has any of it seeped into your wardrobe?

Most of Mammoth's wardrobe was from my wardrobe, and the stuff that wasn't is now being 'stored' there. Mammoth also drives my car.

Did you have any casting in mind?

Everyone I wanted, I was lucky enough to get. The cast are all amazing.

What was it like working with the rest of the cast?

Genuinely the most fun I've ever had at work. Long days, and lots to get through, but it was a joy. Same with all of the crew.

What were the funniest moments on set?

Too many to list, but having a heart to heart with a horse took a lot of takes, and I will never forget a fluke rabbit related incident.

What is your favourite thing about filming in Wales?

The best thing was working with some very talented Welsh cast and crew. And sleeping in my own bed.

How did the theme tune for the series come around?

I interviewed the king of theme tunes, Mike Post, for a BBC Wales radio show I did, and we just hit it off. He told me to get in touch if the TV show I was writing (Mammoth) ever got commissioned. So I did, and now the Mammoth theme is the latest in a long list of Mike Post themes that includes; the A-Team, The Rockford Files, Quantum Leap, Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue, LA Law, and Magnum PI.

Interview with Sian Gibson

Tell us about your character

Mel is a single parent and working mother to her teenage son, Theo. Theo is her pride and joy and she will do anything for him and completely smothers him. She is a control freak, highly strung and is not afraid to say what she thinks, especially when it concerns Theo. She's a force of nature when she's rattled. And Mammoth definitely knows how to get a reaction from her.

What can viewers expect from the series?

It's a laugh out loud, nostalgic, family sitcom that will make you roar with laughter, and marvel at Mike Bubbins' fantastic wardrobe. First and foremost this is a comedy, but its also got plenty of heart with family and friendship at its core, and at the end of the day, we need stuff that cheers us up now more than ever.

Mel gets a big shock when she learns something very significant about Mammoth…what can you tell us about that?

I'm too scared to give anything away. All I can say is that it's a brilliantly funny twist that made me laugh a lot.

What was it like working with the rest of the cast?

When I first saw Mike Bubbins do his Tom Jones impression many years ago I knew that one day we would be friends. Mike is a joy to work with on set, he is so generous and kind and really pulled the cast together. Lovely Joel plays my son in the programme, and I had also recently worked with his dad in real life so we instantly had a connection. I therefore felt like it was my duty to mother and look after him on set. Not quite sure how he felt about that but because he is so sweet he humoured me and went along with it anyway. He is a hugely talented young actor and I loved our scenes together. My scenes were mainly with Mike and Joel but the whole cast including Joseph, Mali and Will were gorgeous and we had a lovely time.

Looking back at 70s fashion, is there anything you think should be brough back?

Did 70s fashion ever leave? Being very short, I think that platforms were the best 70s invention ever and should be compulsory day wear.

If you got frozen and had to wake up in a different time period when would you choose?

Definitely the 90's, Take me back to my teenage years, what an amazing time to be alive. Everything was so much easier, the music was amazing, the fashion questionable and I could still fit in a size 8.

What were the funniest moments on set?

So many. Simon Hynd our director really set the tone for that. There was such a relaxed atmosphere on set and everyone was always up for a laugh. A particular highlight was a party scene in episode three where Mammoth rides into a bar on a horse. I mean, it writes itself doesn't it? It was our last day of filming before Christmas so everyone was really giddy anyway but it was genuinely so funny I had the giggles all day.

Did you enjoy filming in Wales?

Of course. We filmed the series in Cardiff but I grew up, and still live in North Wales. I never get jobs in Wales because I think people mistake my North Wales accent for Manchester or Liverpool. I'm very proud to be Welsh and very patriotic so working in my home country made this job even more special.

Interview with Joseph Marcell

Tell us about your character Roger

He's a bit of a curmudgeon. He was Mammoth's friend 40 years ago, they were teachers together and very close friends. They went off on a trip and they meet again 40 years later, but Mammoth is still much younger and Roger is a senior citizen shall we say! Rogers is pleasant but I think there are moments of great envy at the fact that although Mammoth is out of time, he is still younger than Roger and that sometimes irritates him.

What was it like working with Mike and the rest of the cast?

It was an absolute pleasure. Mike is a gentleman, it was a treat, and we discovered that we had a lot of television shows and music in common. We had a good laugh; I really think he's wonderful and funny and I admire him. We had a great time and he made it as pleasant for me as anybody could.

What were you doing in 1979, the year Mammoth goes missing?

I had just finished with the Royal Shakespeare Company, I was working with a company called Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, Massachusetts, USA. We were doing Romeo and Juliet and The Winter's Tale.

What were the funniest moments on set?

We were filming out in a park, it was wet and raining and we had this huge horse which just kept biting the top of my head and wanting me to play with it, which was hilarious! I wish I had a picture of it happening!

If you could bring back anything from the 70s, what would it be?

I would bring back my early days at the Royal Shakespeare Company when I was a young actor. I was ambitious, I had optimism and I thought that there was nobody as good as I was; you know, that kind of arrogance of youth!

If you got frozen had to wake up in a different time period, when would you choose?

I would say around 1987 to about 1995. It's a time when my children were born and it was a very happy time for me.

Do you have any favourite TV characters from the 70s?

Yes I have a couple of ones. One is an American series called T.H.E. Cat, which was about a cat burglar, and I thought it was just really tremendous. It's not quite the 70s, but I would quite like to bring back the Arthur Haynes show, I thought that was brilliant, the characters were wonderful and quite varied.

What have you enjoyed about being part of this series?

I think series like these are really important because it gives young and upcoming writers and entertainers a chance to flex their muscles! I think it's wonderful, it really is. And Mike Bubbins is just superb.

Interview with Mali Ann Rees

Tell us about your character

Lucy is the Head of PE at the school Mammoth returns to. She is blunt but fair, and despite finding Mammoth's behaviour inappropriate she does have a soft spot for him.

What was it like working with the rest of the cast?

Luckily I have worked with many members of this cast before. I really enjoy working with Mike, he's been working on this for many years so seeing his vision come into fruition has been very inspiring.

What were the funniest moments on set?

There was more than I can count.

If you could revive anything from the 70s, what would it be?

Definitely the fashion and style. I bloody love it. More please!

If you got frozen and had to wake up in a different time period when would you choose?

I'd love to experience the 90s rave scene. I was born in the 90s so would love to experience that as an adult.

Did you enjoy filming in Wales?

I love filming in Wales, especially because I don't have to relocate. I also get to give cast and crew members who are away from home recommendations around the city, which makes me feel very cool.