Fat Cat and Friends
Fat Cat and Friends is an Australian children's TV show that ran from 1972 to 1991. It starred Fat Cat, a friendly orange cat wearing red braces, a blue bow tie and a green bowler hat. The show aired on Network Ten (produced at SAS-10 in Adelaide) and later on the Seven Network after the 1987 frequency changes.
The program was created and produced by Murray George, and was hosted by John Oster, Jane Reilly and Lynn Weston, with Patsy Biscoe providing the music. Fat Cat was played by several actors over the years, including Reg Whiteman for more than a decade, then Ralf Hadzic, followed by Melanie George (1980–1985). The sidekick Stringbean was first played by Nudge McGee.
In 1990, the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal introduced a "P" rating for preschool programs. In 1991 Fat Cat lost its P rating because it was deemed not clearly defined and not educational enough, and Seven canceled the show, replacing it with The Book Place. The decision sparked public outcry, including a mock funeral organized by A Current Affair with Humphrey B. Bear.
Even after cancellation, Fat Cat remained a Perth TV mascot for the Telethon charity and still signs off at 7:30 each night. During the 1990s, Fat Cat appeared on celebrity editions of Wheel of Fortune with Agro as the talking partner, and he made appearances on the comedy show Full Frontal.
In 2021, the 50th anniversary of Fat Cat’s first appearance was marked with a birthday reception at Parliament House in Perth.
This page was last edited on 1 February 2026, at 23:59 (CET).