Rotherhithe Rainbow star's olive bid

Thursday, 26 November 2009

By Marie-Therese Dobbin

A MUSICIAN behind the iconic theme to children’s TV show Rainbow has branched out into growing olives at his flat.

In the 1970s, Rotherhithe resident Tim Thomas had the world in front of him.

He had graduated from Oxford University and had a job in the BBC World Service lined up.

But he decided to take a “95 per cent pay cut” and become an actor while playing in a band.

The outfit – called Telltale – was made up of jobbing actors looking for parts.

They were spotted by Thames Television producers looking for actors to take on roles in a new kids’ TV show called Rainbow.

Mr Thomas, together with his band, wrote the theme to the cult classic and appeared in a number of episodes.

The show won millions of viewers over its 20 years from 1972, featuring legendary characters Zippy, Bungle and George.

He said: “It was great fun to be involved.

"I actually still get royalties from ringtones that are sold with the tune.”

Later Mr Thomas would go on to roles at the Young Vic theatre in Waterloo and tour with the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company.

On Wednesday, the 67-year-old hosted a number of friends to mark picking his first olive harvest at his flat in the Swan Road Estate, off Rotherhithe Street.

He added: “I have always loved plants. I happened to pick this tree up for about 10 quid and this year we have had a lot of olives grow on it.

“A friend has given me directions about how to harvest them.

"It’s quite rare for olive trees to grow in this country, especially at this time of year.

“Perhaps it’s climate change and we’ll soon be growing everything. I should make it an annual event.”

Mr Thomas has already begun pressing his harvest into a paste.

Next year’s yield could see the creation of Rotherhithe’s first extra virgin olive oil.

Email: newsdesk@slp.co.uk

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