The second of the four T-Bag Christmas specials, originally broadcast on Tuesday, 26th December, 1989. Tallulah hates the holiday season, so vindictively decides to spoil everybody else's big day - and who better to start with than Sally Simpkins? But even turning her into a Victorian street urchin isn't enough, and so she soon turns her attention to the ever so lovely Emily Scrumptious and struggling author friend Giles Pickens as well.

There are some really great gags in this one, not least the literary references. The Sooty joke got me in particular. It's nice to see Kellie Bright reprising her role as Sally in between her two series - in fact, Kellie is the only regular protagonist to appear in any of the specials. We take John Hasler at T-Shirt for granted, but he's as brilliant as ever, too. And the sheer evil spitefulness of Tallulah is hilariously off the scale! On balance, I think I'd pick this as my favourite of the four Christmas episodes, so it's a real pity that this was Elizabeth Estensen's last appearance in T-Bag. Just over a week later, the next series (Pearls of Wisdom) started with Georgina Hale in the lead role, and a new era was born.

By all accounts, this special was shot in June and July of 1989, and it was during production that Elizabeth confirmed that talk of her departure for pastures new was true. The uncertainty dated back to the end of the previous series, so I suppose it must have been a relief for all concerned to finally have some sort of plan for the future worked out, but I for one was sad to see her go. Still, at least we got one last bout of silliness to go out on!

The guest roles are played by Gillian Martell and John Clive - both making their second (and final) T-bag appearances. Gillian has done proper Dickens stuff in her time, along with Sherlock Holmes and Jane Austen adaptations. John, I'm sorry to say, is sadly no longer with us, but his IMDB lists The Italian Job, A Clockwork Orange, a number of Carry On films, some Pink Panther films, and loads of other things - but, most interestingly, he provided John Lennon's speaking voice in Yellow Submarine.

I've deliberately left the switch from TV-am to Thames Television, the public service ad, the ident, and the associated continuity at the beginning, as I honestly find that sort of thing fascinating - it really takes me back into the era. Hope it's the same for you.

Many thanks to Grant for providing this recording.

(This is a transfer from an old videotape, so please don't expect full HD quality. To the best of my knowledge, this material is not available commercially anywhere in the world, and has been uploaded for its historic interest. That said, if you are a copyright holder and object, please don't hesitate to contact me.)