Nicholas Parsons 4 June 2018 (when regular guest Gyles Brandreth replaced him for 2 episodes), and has presented the show in six different decades. The programme's longevity is arguably due in part to the host's ability to be a chairman, create laughs and to act as a straight man to the comedians who participate. In the 1950s, Parsons provided the non-singing voice of Tex Tucker in the children's TV puppet series "Four Feather Falls" at the suggestion of his then wife, actress and voiceover artiste Denise Bryer, who was in the show. During the late 1960s he created and presented a satirical
Hero of the Rails of the Rails Tour" was held at locations such as the Illinois Railway Museum, where guests could participate in activities such as arts and crafts or ride on a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine. A mobile app, "Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails", was released in May 2011. This was also the first feature-length Thomas and Friends special made since 2007. One summer on the Island of Sodor, Spencer (voiced by UK: Matt Wilkinson/US: Glenn Wrage) arrives to help the Duke (voiced by UK: Matt Wilkinson/US: William Hope) and Duchess (voiced by UK: Teresa Gallagher/US: Jules de