Derek Griffiths was often "sozzled" before voicing 'SuperTed'.
Derek Griffiths
The 75-year-old actor, who lent his vocals to the titular role in the 1980s cartoon, has recalled the cast would go for a pub lunch ahead of recording, and then head straight to the studio afterwards.
Derek told Best of British magazine: “The day started with a visit to the pub for lunch, and then we went in to do the recording.
"Well, everyone was sozzled by the time we got in – and it was the most hysterical recording.”
And he says an attempt to film one of the recordings ended up being a complete waste of time, as they were unable to show any of the footage because "it was so disgustingly filthy" and "drunken actors were all rolling about on the floor".
He added: "They actually filmed one episode being recorded – and they couldn’t use any of it, because it was so disgustingly filthy. "These drunken actors were all rolling about the floor."
A revamped version of the cartoon is due to return to television in 2023, but it will be without Derek - who previously appeared in 'Coronation Street' - as he has no interest in voicing "an ingenuous bear who's in his 70s".
He said: “I can’t play an ingenuous teddy bear who’s in his 70s.
"I was pushing my luck then.”
'SuperTed' was originally made in Welsh and shown by broadcaster S4C in 1982.
It was then translated into English and shown on the BBC for the first time the following year.
The format of the show was so popular it ended up being broadcast in 50 countries, including India and Sweden, and was the first British-made programme to be shown on the Disney Channel in America.
In July, it was revealed that 'SuperTed', which briefly returned to television screens in 1989, will be returning to the BBC for 26 episodes in 2023.