Really fun recounting of Nikky Smedley's time on teletubbies. Packed full of entertaining and witty anecdotes, a really nice and engaging read.

I’ve just finished Over the Hills and Far away which is the memoir of Nikky Smedley who played La La in Teletubbies and it was one of the most fun, engaging and surprising memoirs I’ve read.

I am a nineties kids so the Teletubbies was very much on my radar as a child. I remember watching the first episode aged 7 with my sister aged 2 on the day it came out. I wasn’t impressed (I was a little older than the target demographic and more importantly I had my books to catalogue - I was obsessed with recreating a library at home) but my sister liked it and it became a regular tv programme to watch at home, like many families in the UK.

I hadn’t thought about the Teletubbies much in the past 20 ish years (except one time I found Teletubby spaghetti in the cupboard!) but when I was offered the chance to review I was intrigued.

On of my favourite things about this book was how much Nikky LOVED being a teletubby! I was kinda expecting something more cynical but this book was full of joy and fond memories. She just loved being La La. I hadn’t realised how much work and research had gone into creating the show and was impressed with some of the ideas and thought process and rational behind decisions. Nikky clearly valued Anne who created the show and this admiration shone through and made the reader really buy into the concept.

I loved the stories of dressing up the costumes and larking about, I loved the fame vs anonymity the cast received and I loved the unique personalities the actors created. I am completely sold on the people inside the teletubbies being actors and not just humans in costumes.

It’s a relatively quick and easy read but it’s insightful and thought provoking and full of warmth - everything you would expect from La La 🙃

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the audio ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

When Nikky Smedley received the news that she had been cast as Laa-Laa in late 1995, my mother was likely politely refusing a glass of wine - she was four months pregnant with me, you see. I would become one of the very first fans of the Teletubbies. I even had a full set of the stuffed toys - I left my Po in the fish and chip shop one day and was absolutely devastated. I never saw her again.

So, when I saw Nikky's memoir on NetGalley, I thought it would be a fun trip down memory lane - and it was! It had been some two decades since I'd watched an episode, but it all came flooding back. It was an absolute delight to hear how passionate the team were about children and EYFS work. Nikky approaches everything with sunshine and good humour, and the affection she has for the time she spent as Laa-Laa really shines through. Her audiobook narration is particularly delightful, incorporating little bits of Laa-Laa voice acting throughout.

The only thing I would really change about this book would be for the editor to put some red pen through a decent chunk of the "it was hot inside the suit" passages. It feels like Smedley is always coming back to how hot it was in the suit. Any reasonable adult can take one look at the tubby suits and know that it was hot in the suit. There's no need to have quite so much of it.

'Eh-Ohhhh' bounded from my car speaker as I began my nightly commute to work & I was immediately in a good mood, because really who can resist the bubbly warmth & cuteness of the Teletubbies? I was 7 when Teletubbies first aired so a bit older than the target market but something about Laa-Laa's & Po's (she was always my favourite, shh) endless enthusiasm always drew me in. So obviously when I saw Over the Hills & Far Away on audiobook I knew I was going to have to listen.

OTHAFA follows Nikky Smedley during the early days of her trying to make ends meet, what it was like living as the adorable Laa-Laa & what came after life as one the beloved famous four.

Nikky takes us with her into Teletubby land & gives a full backstage pass to all the behind the scenes fun, camaraderie & occasional strife. Nikky shares what it was really like to be sweating in her tubby costume for hours at a time & divulges some fascinating set secrets & facts which honestly blew my tiny little mind. I won't list them here as that’ll spoil all the fun!

Nikky also shared the negative attention that Teletubbies got from the media & parents around the country, many thought Teleubbies would be a corrupting bad influence in their children’s life. Sorry what?! In contrast Nikky detailed the huge amount of work & effort that went in behind the scenes to ensure while being fun & entertaining the show was also educational which was just fascinating.

The memoir is bursting with sincerity & true joy for her time as Laa-Laa & is an absolute tonic to listen to. Her genuine love for all things tubby was truly infectious & I couldn’t help but smile & giggle the whole way through. Nikki voices the audiobook & this added to the enjoyment immensely, especially when Laa-Laa popped her head in occasionally.

OTHAFA isn’t a memoir that’s going to change your life but it is one full of fun, nostalgia & plenty of giggles. I’d really recommend it to anyone who watched Teletubbies for some light relief & enjoyment, also you never know what might just learn!

And in the words of Laa-Laa herself, BIBBALY-CHEESE!

Oh-OOO!
In my personal opinion, any review starting other than the above-stated words for the book (Over the Hills & Far Away) shall not cover its essence entirely.

With all the things people have been through in Lockdown, I imagine this would be one of the most beautiful creations that have come out of it. La La comes here to share the story of her life as a Teletubby. The book is jam-packed with all the details of how it all started, behind the scenes, the secret of Teletubby custard, the horrid costumes & much more. Surely to say it all ends charmingly.

The journey embodies the sceptical of life, business, friendships & even dealing with death to a certain extent. I have been reading more Memoirs this year. Maybe I have finally developed a taste for it - perhaps these last 2 years have given people the right time to take a pause on reflecting upon life. The book is out now so go get your hands on a part of your childhood!

Genre: #nonfiction #memoir

Thank you very much for the wonderful ARC:
Platform: @netgalley
Author: Nikky Smedley
Publication: @wfhowes

If you have ever wanted to sit down and have a conversation with a grown up teletubby then this is the book for you. After rising to fame playing LaLa on the hit kids tv show teletubbies Nikky’s honest account of life before during and after teletubbies is a great read and not to be missed. This audiobook is narrated by the author as well and it has brought back so many good memories of being a teenager.