Grotbags star Carol Lee Scott dies

Carol Lee Scott, entertainer best known as CITV’s Grotbags, has died aged 74.

Carol Lee Scott (far right) celebrates 20 years of CITV with other faces from the children’s slot.

Carol Lee Scott, who scared a generation of children as wicked – and sometimes singing – witch Grotbags, has died aged 74. The character of Grotbags was devised by Carol for Rod Hull’s Central Television series, Emu’s World and later The Pink Windmill Show; which was first produced at the ATV Elstree studios in 1981 before later moving to Central’s Nottingham centre.

Grotbags plotted and schemed against her arch-rival Rod and his feathered companion Emu, often attempting to steal the bird or children – known as “brats” to the green-faced witch. Such was her love hate relationship with young viewers she was given her own self titled Grotbags show in 1991. It ran for three series and nearly thirty episodes.

Away from the Central Television studios Carol was a much sought after singer, and cabaret performer, appearing internationally with her own stage act. Before television fame Carol had appeared in pantomime and theatre as well as releasing two albums, 1974’s In Time and Your Place Is Here With Me which was released in 1976. She made her television debut on Thames Television’s Opportunity Knocks in 1971 as a singer following a long stint as a performer with a Holiday Camp chain.

Grotbags with Emu and Rod Hull on Central Independent Television’s Pink Windmill Show

The cowardly crocodile Croc (left), mechanical butler Robot Redford (right), with Grotbags (second left) and Emu and Rod (Middle right)

She first worked with Rod Hull on stage, later, at his invitation, joining him for his new television series with Children’s ITV. Prior to this Rod had worked for the BBC without the Grotbags character. The pair, after the live Pink Windmill Show, reunited for a cartoon series of Rod ‘N’ Emu which Carol voiced her character of Grotbags. One of her last television appearances as the character was for CITV’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations in 2003.

Carol also made a number of telly appearances as herself, including on Central’s darts game show Bullseye, their star quiz Celebrity Squares and LWT comedy quiz Punchlines!

The news of Carol’s passing was announced by her niece Gina Mear. She said; “My dear aunty Carol passed away yesterday, RIP Grotbags, I will miss you.”

In March this year the Pink Windmill dancers re-formed for charity. Rod Hull died in 1999, aged 63, after falling from the roof of his cottage while attempting to repair a fallen television aerial.

Carol Lee Scott on her own CITV series ‘Grotbags’ which was also produced by Central Independent Television

Carol Lee Scott, May 1943 – July 2017