The beloved pink-and-white striped feline Bagpuss will emerge from decades of slumber for a cinema release scheduled for 2027. This marks the famous cat's first appearance since the original 13-episode series aired in 1974.

The new production will blend live-action footage with animation techniques, bringing the saggy cloth cat into a contemporary setting.

Birmingham-based Threewise Entertainment is developing the project with approval from the estates of original creators Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin.

The announcement comes after the classic children's programme celebrated its golden anniversary last year.

A Bagpuss film is in the works

The original series featured a magical shop where Bagpuss would spring to life alongside his companions, including Professor Yaffle the woodpecker and Madeleine the rag doll, to repair forgotten objects brought by a young girl named Emily.

The forthcoming film will transport Bagpuss and his toy companions into modern-day Britain, where they'll discover a world vastly different from their 1970s origins.

The storyline will follow the characters as they embark on what producers describe as a contemporary adventure while maintaining their original purpose of restoring forgotten items.

The production will combine heartwarming narrative elements with comedy and musical sequences, staying faithful to the gentle charm that made the original series a cultural touchstone.

The upcoming film marks the famous cat's first appearance since the original 13-episode series aired in 1974

Rather than simply recreating past episodes, the film aims to present a fresh narrative that resonates with both nostalgic adults and young viewers encountering Bagpuss for the first time.

The magical mouse organ operators and Gabriel the toad will also feature in this reimagined world.

Emily Firmin, who portrayed the young girl in the original series, expressed deep emotion about the character's return. "Bagpuss was an integral part of my childhood.

"To me, he wasn't just a character on the screen; he was a friend who taught me about kindness, care, and imagination," she said.

She added: "To see our most magical cat return now is incredibly moving, and I'm thrilled that new fans will have the chance to discover him, and that his magic will live on and be shared with the next generation."

Michael Ford, Threewise Entertainment's chief executive, revealed the company's enthusiasm for reviving the character.

"Bagpuss was a 'saggy old cloth' with many a tall tale to tell of grand adventures past, and we're very proud and excited to be bringing this iconic character back to life with the blessing of both the original creators' estates," he stated.

The original programme achieved remarkable acclaim, securing the title of Britain's favourite children's show in a 1999 BBC survey.

Bagpuss has been a children's favourite for decades

Nearly a decade later, Bagpuss claimed another honour as the nation's most beloved children's television animal.

Peter Firmin, who crafted the puppets and co-created numerous other classics, including The Clangers and Ivor the Engine, died in 2018 aged 89. His creative partner, Oliver Postgate, had died a decade earlier in 2008.

The forthcoming film will transport Bagpuss and his toy companions into modern-day Britain, where they'll discover a world vastly different from their 1970s origins

Most episodes were filmed in a converted barn on Firmin's Kent farm.

Despite the show's enduring appeal, Daniel Postgate revealed last year that BBC executives discontinued the series, believing it had become outdated for evolving children's programming trends.