Latest news with #Grotbags
Irish Daily Mirror
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Adored children's TV character tragically died after cancer battle
The catchphrase "There's somebody at the door! There's somebody at the door!" was a staple of children's television in the 1980s, joyfully echoed by millions of kids whenever guests arrived. This phrase was accompanied by an eccentric green witch, a peculiar pink windmill filled with children, and the infamous TV puppet-and-handler duo of Rod Hull and Emu. This unforgettable phrase originated from ITV's Emu's World, while the odd green witch in the flowing cape that we loved to hate was Grotbags – played by actress Carol Lee Scott. She lived in a stronghold known as Gloomy Fortress, where she clumsily tried to use her magic on the children, whilst also keeping her minion Croc in check by hitting him with her bazazzer, a parasol-shaped wand topped with a pointing finger. But what became of the actress behind such an iconic character? Carol, born in Somerset in 1942, kick-started her career after moving to London, singing in local pubs while working at a music shop during the day. She later joined holiday resort Pontins, entertaining guests for 19 years while also performing at working men's clubs, according to OK! For Carol, a summer booking in Cleethorpes led to a meeting with Rod Hull, who had been tasked with developing a new television show. Grotbags, Rod Hull and Emu. (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock) Colin Stewart pictured with Grotbags. (Image: Daily Mirror) Carol made her debut on screens in 1982 with her role in Emu's World, appearing alongside a bashful crocodile, a mechanical butler, and a fawning servant. The programme ran for multiple series. In 1991, Carol provided her voice for the cartoon spin-off Rod 'n' Emu, before going on to feature in her own eponymous TV show during the early 90s and Emu's All Live Pink Windmill Show. She became a regular fixture in pantomime productions but sadly died from cancer eight years ago, on July 4, 2017, aged 74. Her niece Gina Mear posted on Twitter to share news of her death, penning "My dear aunty Carol passed away yesterday, RIP #Grotbags, I will miss you." The touching tweet featured two photographs: one displaying Carol in her famous green Grotbags makeup alongside what looked like family members, and another showing a more intimate scene at home with her niece and a sweet baby. The message struck a chord with supporters, rapidly circulating online as countless people offered tributes to the performer. One admirer celebrated her performance, stating "Carol Ann Lee was truly amazing as #Grotbags just the right amount of scary for young children," whilst another expressed their grief: "I'm so sorry for your loss. Grotbags was a fantastic part of my childhood. She was my favourite part of The Pink Windmill." A third fan offered their sympathies, saying: "Sad to hear the passing of Carol Lee Scott who played #Grotbags on TV. Genuinely scary/entertaining to the young me. A great actress. RIP." The showbusiness community united to support Carol Lee Scott's family, with heartfelt messages flooding in. Comic Rufus Hound paid his respects, saying: "Very sorry for your loss. An icon for folk of my generation. Thank you for her." The late Rod Hull, who died tragically in 1999 at 63 after falling from his roof whilst fixing his television aerial, would have marked his 90th birthday next week, on August 13. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Daily Record
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Truly amazing' children's TV icon died after battling cancer
Carol Lee Scott's Grotbags appeared among a line-up of characters on Emu's World. An adored star of children's TV in the 1980s and 1990s died following a battle with cancer. Carol Lee Scott was best known for appearing in the ITV show Emu's World in the 1980s. Alongside the iconic puppet and handler duo of Rod Hull and Emu, she played Grotbags, a green witch in a flowing cape. The character clumsily attempted to exert her magical powers over children, while keeping her minion Croc under control by hitting him with her bazazzer, a parasol-shaped wand topped with a pointing finger. Her career launched after moving from Somerset, where she was born in 1942, to London, where she worked in a music shop by day and sang in pubs by night, the Mirror reports. She then worked as an entertainer at Pontins holiday resort for 19 years, at the same time performing at working men's clubs. She first met Rod Hull in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire one summer, after he had been commissioned to come up with a new TV programme. Her iconic character first appeared on Emu's World in 1982, with the show remaining on air for several series runs. In 1991, she gave her voice to the animated spin-off Rod 'n' Emu, before starring in her own self-titled show and Emu's All Live Pink Windmill Show. Tragically, she died following a cancer battle on July 4, 2017, at the age of 74. Her niece Gina Mear announced the sad news on social media, writing: "My dear aunty Carol passed away yesterday, RIP #Grotbags, I will miss you." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. She also shared images of Carol done up in her Grotbags make-up, and another holding a baby. The post prompted several tributes from fans. One wrote: "Carol Ann Lee was truly amazing as #Grotbags just the right amount of scary for young children," Another commented: "I'm so sorry for your loss. Grotbags was a fantastic part of my childhood. She was my favourite part of The Pink Windmill." A third said: "Sad to hear the passing of Carol Lee Scott who played #Grotbags on TV. Genuinely scary/entertaining to the young me. A great actress. RIP." Figures from the entertainment industry also gave their condolences, including comedian Rufus Hound, who shared: "Very sorry for your loss. An icon for folk of my generation. Thank you for her." The late Rod Hull tragically died aged just 63 in 1999, after falling from a roof while adjusting his TV aerial. He would have turned 90 next week, on August 13.
Daily Mirror
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Children's TV star hailed as 'truly amazing' tragically died after health battle
Carol Lee Scott was the actress behind the iconic character Grotbags, who was a regular on our TV screens in the 1980s and 1990s It was the children's television catchphrase that millions of youngsters mimicked throughout the 1980s, gleefully shouting it whenever visitors arrived: "There's somebody at the door! There's somebody at the door!" And with it came an outrageous green witch, a peculiar pink windmill packed with children, and the notorious TV puppet-and-handler partnership of Rod Hull and Emu. The television programme that spawned this memorable phrase was ITV's Emu's World, whilst the bizarre green witch in the flowing cape whom we adored despising was Grotbags – portrayed by actress Carol Lee Scott. She resided in a fortress called Gloomy Fortress, and clumsily attempted to wield her magical abilities over the youngsters, whilst also maintaining control of her minion Croc by striking him with her bazazzer, a parasol-shaped wand topped with a pointing finger. But what happened to the performer behind such a legendary character? Carol, who entered the world in Somerset in 1942, launched her career following her relocation to London, performing vocals in neighbourhood pubs whilst working days at a music shop. She subsequently joined the holiday resort Pontins, entertaining guests for 19 years whilst simultaneously performing at working men's clubs, reports OK!. In more recent news, a man, 30, put shoulder pain down to gym aches, then doctors asked where he'd like to die. READ MORE: NHS warns mouth symptom could be life-shortening disease For Carol, a summer engagement in Cleethorpes resulted in an encounter with Rod Hull, who had been commissioned to create a fresh television programme. Carol first graced screens in 1982 with her appearance on Emu's World, alongside a timid crocodile, a robotic butler, and a sycophantic manservant. The show enjoyed several series runs. In 1991, Carol lent her voice to the animated spin-off Rod 'n' Emu, and later starred in her own self-titled TV programme in the early 90s and Emu's All Live Pink Windmill Show. She became a staple on the pantomime scene but, regrettably, succumbed to cancer eight years ago, on 4 July, 2017, at the age of 74. Her niece Gina Mear took to Twitter to announce her passing, writing "My dear aunty Carol passed away yesterday, RIP #Grotbags, I will miss you." The heartfelt tweet was accompanied by two photos: one showing Carol in her iconic green Grotbags makeup with what appeared to be relatives, and another capturing a more personal moment at home with her niece and an adorable baby. The post resonated with fans, quickly spreading across the internet as many paid tribute to the entertainer. One fan praised her portrayal, commenting "Carol Ann Lee was truly amazing as #Grotbags just the right amount of scary for young children," Another shared their sorrow: "I'm so sorry for your loss. Grotbags was a fantastic part of my childhood. She was my favourite part of The Pink Windmill." A third admirer expressed their condolences, saying: "Sad to hear the passing of Carol Lee Scott who played #Grotbags on TV. Genuinely scary/entertaining to the young me. A great actress. RIP." The entertainment world rallied around the family of Carol Lee Scott during this tough period, with tributes pouring in. Comedian Rufus Hound shared his condolences, saying: "Very sorry for your loss. An icon for folk of my generation. Thank you for her." The late Rod Hull, who tragically passed away in 1999 at 63 after falling from the roof while adjusting his TV aerial, would have celebrated his 90th birthday next week, on 13 August.
