RentaGhost and Worzel Gummidge to return

The indie has also picked up the rights to adapt ITV children's show Worzel Gummidge.

RDF Kids & Family, part of the company's rights arm, has licensed the rights to both brands from LA-based intellectual property development company Pidgeon Entertainment.

The companies will effectively co-produce any new version of the shows that get off the ground.

“We feel there is real potential for these classic brands to be reworked for a modern day audience and are very excited to be working with Patrick to take them forward,” said RDF director of family entertainment Nigel Pickard.

BBC show RentaGhost, which featured a group of ghosts trying to set up their own business enterprise in a suburban home, was written by Bob Block and ran from 1975 to 1984.

Among its cast were future Coronation Street star Sue Nicholls as the permanently sneezing Miss Popov, the late Michael Staniforth, who played impish jester Mister Claypole and composed and sang the iconic theme tune, light entertainment stalwart Christopher Biggins and Prime Suspect writer Lynda la Plante.

In 2006, Joe Pasquale wrote a musical adaptation for the stage, which was produced by Patrick Pidgeon, who set up Pidgeon Entertainment.

Worzel Gummidge's lineage goes back to 1936, when the first in a series of children's books appeared. ITV adapted it for four series from 1979 to 1981, with former Doctor Who star Jon Pertwee in the lead role opposite Una Stubbs as love interest Aunt Sally.

Pidgeon said of the planned revivals: “In spite of being an American, it has always been my intent to get both iconic shows back to the UK, but at the same time confident that today's worldwide kids' audience will embrace their reintroductions as well.

“Great ideas are universal, and with new global media applications, the timing could not be better suited for these two nostalgic franchises to get a fresh and imaginative 21st century makeover, but remaining true to the spirit and legacy of each property, and I believe RDF is the perfect place for this to happen."

RDF Kids & Family will hold all international rights to any programmes that are produced from the properties.

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