As suggested by: MaybeMe, leonzos and CitizenJohnson
Top Cat, or TC, was by far the most popular suggestion. Now enormously popular in Mexico as “Don Gato” (cue a lacklustre film adaptation), the original 1961-2 series about the police-baiting alleycat continues to enchant. CitizenJohnson said: “Surely Top Cat, the indisputable leader of the gang, should be on this list if not, er… top?” Photograph: Everett Collection/Rex Features
As suggested by: teaandchocolate, Lockhurst and Steve Mitchell
Roll up, roll up, and enjoy this surreal mix of psychedelic landscapes, improbable plotlines and odd political undercurrents. The characters include floppy-eared dog Dougal, a pink cow, and a guitar-playing hippie rabbit called Dylan. Lockhurst requested “all the Magic Roundabout characters, especially Dougal”. The omission made Steve Mitchell suspect we had an “anti-French agenda” Photograph: Sipa Press/Rex Features
As suggested by: Ibloodylovetrains and interiorbc
“Where in the name of all that is holy is THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE!?” asked the suitably named Ibloodylovetrains. Based on The Railway Series by Reverend Wilbert Awdry, Thomas and his friends have charmed whole generations over the decades. The first series was famously narrated by Ringo Starr, with subsequent voiceovers provided by George Carlin, Alec Baldwin and Pierce Brosnan. Trainspotting never looked so much fun Photograph: ITV/Rex Features
As suggested by: jalfreziboy, JeremyToulalan and chitchat
When Henry Mancini's familiar Pink Panther theme tune reaches your ears, you know you've got good times ahead of you. The panther is a groovy cat, a gentleman, a scholar and an acrobat, and a whole lot smarter than his nemesis Inspector Clouseau. Chitchat said: “The Pink Panther has to be in the top three at least,” and JeremyToulalan added that without it, “the list is a sham!” Photograph: Sportsphoto/Allstar
As suggested by: teaandchocolate, Thisisnotmyrealname and originofthespecies
“How could the writer not include Dastardly and Muttley… never been equalled, any of it,” Thisisnotmyrealname said. “Sassafrassarassa yeah-yeah-yeah,” originofthespecies added. The Hanna-Barbera production followed the adventures of über-villain Dick Dastardly and his (occasionally magnificent) dog Muttley as they repeatedly failed to trap an elusive carrier pigeon Photograph: Everett Collection/Rex Features
As suggested by: Bluestone, parques and Chivanova
“Where the f**k is Pingu?” Chivanova asked. The sentiment was echoed by parcques: “Where is Pingu? Who can forget the classic episode when he pissed in the snow?!!!” The made-up penguin language and loud honking noises narrowly straddled the line between amazing and annoying, yet were counteracted by bafflingly uneventful plots (“Pingu Helps Around the House”, “Pingu Sits on the Egg”) Photograph: PR
As suggested by: Bookseeker, RidleyWalker and Sheepless
RidleyWalker said Noggin the Nog “had that sort of ominous, vaguely scary atmosphere to it. Utterly enthralling.” In addition to fantastic names such as “Nogbad the Bad” and “Olaf the Lofty”, the eminently listenable Oliver Postgate narration elevated the show to cult status. As Sheepless put it, “Just hearing Oliver Postgate's name makes me relaxed. I think he could have announced the imminent end of the world, and I'd have smiled and made a cup of tea” Photograph: PR
As suggested by: FlummoxedCollywobble and vadasz
What about Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Sylvester and Tweety, Wile E Coyote and Road Runner? The Warner Bros creations and their endless spinoffs were a staple of many a childhood. Vadasz bemoaned the fact that “the wildly imaginative, infinitely quotable, and just plain cool WB toons (Bugs, Daffy, et al) are nowhere to be seen” Photograph: Warner Bros
As suggested by: Technical Ephemera, JimTheFish and bopbop
Bopbop suggested an “honourable mention” for the Wombles (“a glaring omission”, according to JimTheFish). The pointy-nosed inhabitants of Wimbledon (Wombledon) Common live on thanks to their unforgettable characters, environment-friendly message and memorable hit singles Photograph: ITV /Rex Features
As suggested by: Kavi Mazumdar, CameronAddicott and londonhongkong
Bit of a controversial choice, this one. While exreader is adamant that “everyone hated Tom & Jerry,” this pre-Itchy-and-Scratchy slapstick duo came up time and time again. Londonhongkong said: “Tom & Jerry were awesome. Until the studio decided to cheapen the animation and it went all crappy.” Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/Allstar
