Farmer Giles is of
course rhyming slang for a medical condition on which I was going to
elaborate, but as I don't want to pile on the agony for any readers
suffering the ailment in question I decided I'd just sit on it
instead.
Quite why a farmer was wandering the urban landscape of Krazy Town was never explained (although judging by his manure-laden boots, his livestock couldn't be far away), but the affable agrarian dispensed many a stereotypical “oo-aaar” along with his rural repartee.
In Cheeky's world,
Farmer Giles was the purveyor of farmyard fun who first appeared in
the 08 July 1978 issue and bowed out in the final edition of the
toothy funster's comic, having clocked up appearances in 78 issues.
 |
| The first case of the Farmers Cheeky Weekly 08 July 1978 Art: Frank McDiarmid pencils |
Quite why a farmer was wandering the urban landscape of Krazy Town was never explained (although judging by his manure-laden boots, his livestock couldn't be far away), but the affable agrarian dispensed many a stereotypical “oo-aaar” along with his rural repartee.
 |
| The occupant of Giles' hat gets his moment in the spotlight Art: Frank McDiarmid |
Just 7 weeks after his
debut, Giles appeared on the cover of the 26 August 1978 comic,
whereon he was depicted in a cornfield. The prominence given to the
rustic rascal on the front page may have given readers the impression
that abundant agricultural antics were in the offing but in fact
other than his front page feature, Farmer Giles was present only on
page 2.
 |
| Despite being mentioned on several occasions, Farmer Giles' Dad appeared only once - Cheeky Weekly 03 November 1979 Art: Dick Millington |
Our favourite funny farmer returned to the front cover on the 24 February 1979 edition, accompanied
by a flock of sheep.
Cheeky Weekly dated 07April 1979 featured the highest number of elements to include our
harvesting humourist in a single edition - he turned up on Sunday,
Wednesday and Thursday.
Farmyard fun was in evidence during Giles' Burpo Special appearance in the 14 April 1979 issue.
Farmyard fun was in evidence during Giles' Burpo Special appearance in the 14 April 1979 issue.
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| Art: Frank McDiarmid |
Agricultural antics
returned to the front cover of the comic dated 21 April 1979, and yet
again on the 16 June and 23 June 1979 editions.
Cheeky and pals spent
Saturday on Giles' farm in the 21 July 1979 comic, a trip which
concluded with a slap-up farm feed.
 |
| Yikky-Boo gets rural Art: Mike Lacey |
In her
post-cinema-usherette career, Ursula was briefly employed on Giles'
farm as a scarecrow, but was sacked for scaring the animals and staff
as well (11 August 1979). This experience didn't stop Giles creating
some scarecrows resembling the frightening-faced-female in the 19 January 1980
edition.
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| Red rustic raillery Art: Frank McDiarmid |
Giles' battered rustic
headgear was home to a mouse, who was most frequently depicted when
the artwork was pure Frank McDiarmid.
Farmer Giles made a
guest appearance in the Skateboard Squad story dated 28 October 1978, and Cheeky's Cut-Out Comedy
Catalogue of Farmer Giles Jokes appeared in the 12
January 1980 comic.
| Character | Total Issues | First Appearance | Final Appearance |
| Farmer Giles | 78 | 08-Jul-1978 | 02-Feb-1980 |
| Character | Artist | Total Elements |
| Farmer Giles | Frank McDiarmid | 46 |
| Farmer Giles | Mike Lacey | 21 |
| Farmer Giles | Frank McDiarmid pencils | 12 |
| Farmer Giles | Dick Millington | 4 |
| Farmer Giles | Barrie Appleby | 4 |
ooo-arrr! He was good...didn't know the connection in the name!!!
ReplyDeleteThat could have been a Knock-Knock Door joke - who's there? - Emma Royd...Sorry, I've hit rock bottom with that joke
Deletewhat a bummer of a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Delete