Rentaghost
Rentaghost was a British children’s stalwart for many
years, running for nearly sixty episodes from 1975 to 1984.
 Harold
and Ethel Meaker lived in South Ealing and ran 'Rentaghost' where
(as the name suggests!) they rented ghosts out to the public.
Harold Meaker had originally been the spooks landlord but took
over the business when Fred Mumford couldn't keep up with the
rent.
Harold's wife, Ethel, also fancied herself as a bit of a
singer.
Their plans always went very, very wrong, with hair-raising
slapstick consequences. Like people turning into Batman. Or
falling asleep.
The joke book humour flew thick and fast, often
followed by lines like "Thank you for resurrecting that joke
for its fiftieth birthday!" delivered straight to camera.
Over the years many ghosts came and went but the main Rentaghost
crew comprised; Timothy Claypole - A jester at the court of Queen
Matilda (The Dreaded Tyrant of the Twelfth Century), Hazel McWitch
- The ghost of a Scottish witch, Nadia Popov - A Dutch ghost who
suffered from hay fever and had a habit of 'popping off' whenever
she saw a flower, Fred Mumford - who had originally founded 'Rentaghost'
after becoming a ghost in a shipping accident six months
previously, and Hubert Davenport - A distinguished Victorian
gentleman.
 The Meaker's next door neighbours, Rose and Arthur Perkins,
were convinced that the Meaker's were a pair of nutters and hired
a private detective and tried to get a psychiatrist to convince
them that they needed treatment.
Actor Michael Stanniforth wrote and performed the unforgettable
theme tune. His original song had to be re-written as concern grew
that it was too close to The Exorcist.
Lynda Marchal (who played Tamara Novek) achieved greater fame
and fortune as a writer . . . under the name Lynda La Plante.
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