What’s the best childrens’ TV theme tune of all time?

You can knock it, you can rock it, you can go to Timbuktu, but you'll never find a nessie in the zoo...

There was time when the opening theme of your favourite cartoon or kids show was a thing of beauty. They were at least 30 seconds long and you enjoyed them almost as much as they actual programme. But what were the best kids' theme tunes of all time? We've picked twelve of our favourites from the glory years of CBBC/CITV...

Thundercats

This is like the start of sci-fi blockbuster, introducing the main characters with fast-paced graphics and 80s electric guitar. Wonderful stuff... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izY2vgfZj-Y

Around the World with Willy Fog

This jaunty number was full of really bad accents and people who couldn't really sing, but it's an absolute belter nonetheless... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nqN_7eGItM

Mysterious Cities of Gold

Something a bit more exotic here. The 'Aaaaah-ahhh-ah-aaaaaah' bit in particular transported you to somewhere magical... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtyXnr5XV_A

The Family-Ness

Nothing like a bit of stereotyping. Man in kilt - check. Ginger - check. Bagpipes - check. We're not sure but we think this classic was set in Scotland... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaCzbqdFS24

Grange Hill

There's been a few versions of this iconic opening over the years, but the punchy funk wah's and comic strip original remains the definitive version... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE7gAEsI0XY

Jossy's Giants

Less well known but every bit as brilliant. The legendary Sid Waddell was the brains behind this football-based weekly caper and it shows... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otQSbK3xdBY

Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds

This was not so much a theme tune as a code to live by. 'One for all and all for one, helping everybody' - what a wonderful message... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFWst8c_Cvk

Bananaman

One of the most famous addresses in television history. Not actually a song, more a man talking over music - but still magic... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFNNHZcbnTY

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

These half-shelled rascals were the definition of cool in their day. The CBBC changed their name to 'hero turtles' to protect our innocent minds... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNa2Fr6CA0E

Muppet Babies

One for the early risers. Saturday morning, before breakfast TV started in earnest, there was this gem for the those of us dedicated to pre-7am viewing... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwaddpsKdKg

Transformers

There's almost a rock opera vibe going on here. You could imagine it being sung by a musical cast in the West End. Or by actual robots in disguise... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zFLm8bpAN8

Supergran

It's a testament to this opening number that Supergran has endured in the national consciousness. As a show it was a bit boring, but what an absolute tune... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NClF7D7Gjyc