They just didnt see the point.
And thus the hero of the BBCsGeordie Racerand his dog were endeared to a generation of biscuit-eating 1980s schoolchildren.
Wordy was just part ofGeordie Racers educational framing narrative though, Spuggy was its star.
Richard Spuggy Hilton was my kind of people.
He also loved pigeons.
It told the story of a Tyneside lad with an allotment shed full of racing birds.
Unlike his tracksuit-wearing, Alpen-eating family, Spuggy wasnt interested in doing The Great North Run.
He just wanted to race his prize flier in the Inland National Pigeon Race and eat stotties.
When Tyneside is hit by a spate of robberies, Spuggy and Janie turn detective.
Nothing else even comes close.
There were also top suggestions on what to call a prize bird.
Blue Flash for instance, was the name of Spuggys pride and joy, the bonniest pigeon in Newcastle.
Another bobby dazzler was Perfect Lady, the property of shady businessman Baz Bailey.
He was the one whod masterminded the local robberies, a fact Spuggy and Janie soon deduce.
Out-of-work Ray had taken a job driving Bazs stolen goods around, leaving Spuggy with a dilemma.
Should he squeal on Baz if it meant implicating his own father?
Battling this issue, Spuggy went to local radio personality Mickey Stone for help.
Happily, Ray turned out to be ignorant to his criminal cargo.
I needed a job, man, he explained, I wanted to work.
Aye, I drove Bazs truck but Im nay crook, man.
There was worse trouble for Spuggy ahead though.
The local recreation centre takings on the day of the Great North Run.
As part of its educational mission,Geordie Racerhad a deeply patient approach to storytelling.
The last time we saw Spuggy he was upset.
It ensured everyone kept up with plot developments and learnt the correct spelling of Spuggy.
IfGame Of Throneswould just do the same, itd save us all a lot of time.
Speaking of which, Spuggy is Geordie for sparrow.
Thanks once again, Look And Read.
Ye all gan canny, now.
