They have been the fastest movers of the small screen - they’re not even jet-setters; they’re jaunt-setters. When they’re off to distant climates, they don’t mean the Far East or Australia, they mean the far reaches of the universe, the distant planets of the mighty cosmos.

They’re the Tomorrow People of course - the advanced citizens who jaunt here and there, in and out of sight, in and out of trouble. They’re also the superhuman champions who star in one of Thames TV’s longest running and most popular series right across the country.

The Tomorrow People have seen one or two losses and additions to their ranks since they first appeared on our screens back in the spring of ‘73. Carol, played by Sammie Winmill, and Kenny, who was portrayed by Steve Salmon, have jaunted away to new worlds. While Mike Holloway as Mike Bell, is the most recent TP to ‘sign up’ with the other members of the fab five - the extra-sensory super-humans who meet in a disused London underground station and disappear to the phenomenal Universal Overground Jaunt - that’s bound to lead to excitement and adventure.

We felt it was time that we offered you a low-down on the Tomorrow People today - not forgetting the one and only TIM, our computer friend who provided them with knowledge required to leap about the planets, adding new meaning to the phrase, “Here one minute gone the next...”

Elizabeth Adare:

Elizabeth, the only female in the TP team, comes from West Africa, of Sierra Leonean father and Gambian mother. She could have been sorting out legal problems instead of inter-planetary ones, because originally her parents hoped that she would take up law. But no... it was the Mount View Stage School for Liz. Where she performed in many African and West Indian productions. From there, via the Young Vic, to the Tomorrow People.

TIM:

Now where would out five heroes be without the aid of TIM, their incredible computer? The answer... nowhere; which in turn would mean no thrilling inter-planetary action. For it’s TIM who informs the Tomorrow People about what’s happening on the Universal grapevine by way of his incredible inner workings (don’t ask us to explain them though!) Tim is played by Philip Gilbert, who isn’t worried by the fact that no one can see his face. Just remember he doesn’t have to go through make-up and costumes like the others, and he’s one up on them too - ‘cos he knows everything!

Mike Holoway:

The most recent addition to the ranks of the TP. Multi-talented Mike was discovered playing drums with the pop group, Flintlock, who were chosen to star in the comedy show ‘You Must be Joking’. Mike’s acting talent soon became evident and he was chosen to play Mike Bell, a lad with Uri-Geller type powers, in The Tomorrow People. His big breaks both came within the space of one year.

Nicholas Young:

Nicholas has branched out from his television career with parts in two famous films, “Goodbye Mr. chips” and “Day Of The Jackal”, but he is most famous as John, leader of the Tomorrow People and ever-present in the series.

Peter Vaughan-Clarke:

A Tomorrow Person from the group’s first days together. Nineteen year old Peter began his acting career at stage school and then followed up with a part in a Dora Bryan series for London Weekend TV. A West Londoner, Peter likes nothing better than a quick jaunt across the Universe.

Dean Lawrence:

Dean became a Tomorrow Person in March last year. In the series he plays a gypsy boy and a great friend of Stephen’s. At the age of eleven Dean was enrolled at the Barbara Speake Stage School, and went on to appear in London stage shows “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Carry on London”. He’s also done a bit of modelling in his spare time. Quite a busy lad is our Dean.

Nicholas Young:

An ever present Tomorrow Person, 26 year old Nicholas is the team’s father figure. He was educated at public school, after which he commenced training for the theatre at the Corona Stage-School. Nicholas has never been short of work in any of the mediums, appearances in TV include early parts in ‘Up School’ by ATV. ‘The Prize’ (also ATV), ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ and ‘Kate’ for London Weekend and Yorkshire Television respectively.

Sammie Winmill:

One of the original Tomorrow People, Sammie is now seeking fresh pastures in her acting career. Sammie trained at the Arts Educational, and spent seasons gaining experience at the Opera House, before winning her place with The Tomorrow People. She made quite a name for herself playing the part of Nurse Compton in the highly successful ‘Doctor in Charge’ series. Sammie’s hobbies include playing the guitar and composing songs.

Stephen Salmon:

Unlike his colleagues in The Tomorrow People Stephen did not choose acting as a career. He was fifteen and thinking of becoming an electrical engineer on leaving school. It was just at this time that Thames TV producer Roger Price was conducting a nation-wide search for a youngster to play a teenage character in a new science-fiction series. Eventually he discovered Stephen who lived close by. Although Stephen had read about the auditions in the press, he had not answered the advertisement. Instead George Reynolds, leader of the youth club he used to attend told Roger Price about him. Price immediately interviewed Stephen, who was quickly auditioned and signed on contract. Thames then paid for him to have drama lessons in preparation for his acting debut, which came not long afterwards.

Peter Vaughan-Clarke:

Peter is the pin-up boy of the series. He was born in Hammersmith Hospital on 15th June 1957, accompanied by his twin sister Sophie. Before starting stage school, Peter attended Wandsworth School in Southfields. It was in a Marmite commercial that he made his television debut in 1972. Followed by the part of Roni in London Weekend’s Dora Bryan series. Peter’s hobbies are gardening, decorating, reading science-fiction and following all space projects especially the Apollo missions.

Elizabeth Adare:

Elizabeth Adare, pronounced ah-dar-eh, originates from West Africa. Born of Sierra Leoneon father and Ganbian mother, she was educated in England, although her parents wanted her to take up law she went to the Mount View Stage School. It was not long before she found herself working hard in the theatre. She also gained valuable experience when she appeared with Bernard Bresslaw in a science-fiction play ‘Time Sneeze’, for the Young Vic company.

Dean Lawrence:

Cheeky-looking Dean Lawrence became one of the most envied young people in television when he clinched the part of Tyso Boswell in the latest series of the Tomorrow People. Fourteen year-old Dean from Bristol has been at stage school since he was eleven and is the veteran of many TV commercials. He also appeared in London West end Stage productions.