Thunderbirds star David Graham, best known for voicing characters Parker and Brains, has said the series endures because it is “a family show for all ages”.

The brainchild of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, then a husband and wife team, this week marks 50 years to the day (September 30) since Thunderbirds made its debut on ITV.

Filmed in Supermarionation, a puppetry technique involving fine wires and electronics, it depicted the adventures of the Tracy family who, as the secretive International Rescue, jetted around the world in amazing vehicles, performing daredevil rescues.

Thunderbirds are go! (ITV/REX Shutterstock/PA Wire )
Thunderbirds are go! (ITV/REX Shutterstock/PA Wire )

The very first episode aired was Trapped In The Sky, which revolved around nemesis villain The Hood’s plot to photograph the Thunderbirds vehicles in action.

Despite a relatively short run between 1965 and 1968 comprising 32 television episodes and two feature-length films, Thunderbirds has now been part of British popular culture for half a century.

Speaking about the Thunderbirds Classic 50th Anniversary DVD, David reflected on the show’s remarkable endurance.

“Thunderbirds had a good story to tell,” he said. “The scripts contained adventure, suspense, superb visual effects and there was no gratuitous violence, but there was also an added leavening of humour. It’s a family show for all ages.”

At the age of 90, the star is still tied to the series he first worked on when Beatlemania was at its height.

Thunderbirds Classic 50th Anniversary DVD is to be launched (ITV/REX Shutterstock/PA Wire)
Thunderbirds Classic 50th Anniversary DVD is to be launched (ITV/REX Shutterstock/PA Wire)

In April this year, a new CGI animation remake called Thunderbirds Are Go launched on ITV. The veteran actor has reprised the role of Parker, butler and chauffeur of International Rescue’s London agent Lady Penelope.

The glamorous aristocrat is now voiced by Oscar nominee Rosamund Pike, who replaces co-creator Sylvia Anderson. Fonejacker star Kayvan Novak is the voice of Brains, also originally played by David.

Old and new come together on the DVD which celebrates the 50th anniversary with all 32 classic episodes and a documentary on the making of Thunderbirds Are Go presented by Reggie Yates. The second series of the new incarnation airs in 2016.

Over his long career, the busy actor has popped up in many television series ranging from The Avengers to The Bill. He has also voiced numerous characters in Doctor Who.

Yet the Londoner is proud to be the only cast member from the 1960s still playing the same Thunderbirds role. Parker is a reformed criminal with a distinctive London accent and one of David’s favourite memories is how the fan favourite was born.

The voice of Thunderbirds Parker, David Graham, by a sculpture of Shaun the Sheep titled Thunderbirds Are Go, is one of 70 sheep sculptures placed around the city of Bristol, decorated by artists and celebrities to raise money for the Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal. (Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
The voice of Parker in Thunderbirds, David Graham, by a sculpture of Shaun the Sheep titled Thunderbirds Are Go – one of 70 sheep sculptures placed around the city of Bristol, decorated by artists and celebrities to raise money for the Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal.
(Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

“Gerry Anderson took me to lunch at a pub in Cookham near to the studio in Slough. He wanted me to listen to an old waiter’s voice so he beckoned him over and the waiter said, and I quote, ‘Would you like to see the wine list, sir?’

“This was music to my actor’s ear and the voice, which I elaborated on, became the voice of the much-beloved Parker.”

As the show marks its 50th year, the future looks bright. In addition to the Classic 50th Anniversary DVD and Thunderbirds Are Go, three new puppet-based episodes are being produced at the original studio in Slough thanks to a Kickstarter campaign.

Purchasers of the new DVD should look out for David’s personal favourite episode: “A difficult one but, if you pin me down, I would have to say Vault Of Death because Parker was able to employ his legendary safe-cracking skills aided and abetted by his old mate Light Fingered Fred, who I also voiced.”

Thunderbirds Classic Complete Collection Limited Edition DVD, ITV Studios Global Entertainment