Michael Staniforth television comedy series "Rentaghost". Staniforth played Timothy Claypole from 1976, when the show first aired, until 1984, and was the longest-standing member of the cast. Claypole was a bearded medieval jester, dressed in motley and bells. Claypole's longevity as a ghost meant that he had expert ghostly skills; coupled with his mischievous personality, and often boundless psychic energy, he caused mayhem for the rest of the "Rentaghost" cast. Danny Birchall at BFI Screenonline noted: The sheer energy of Michael Staniforth (who also performed the theme tune) as Claypole made it one of the longer-lasting children's television series, if not always
Rentaghost did not sell, with some concerns over appropriateness of dark tone of the series aimed at young children, and plans for the series were axed. In September 2008, it was reported that the show could be returning to television after the rights to the programme were obtained by the UK production company RDF. However, no new show was forthcoming. "Deadline" reported in December 2010 that "Warner Bros had acquired the rights to "RentaGhost" and was going to develop it into a "Beetlejuice"-style afterlife feature comedy vehicle for Russell Brand as Fred Mumford." However, in October 2011, it was reported that