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Unsurprisingly advertising the very same breakfast cereal they were named after, the Weetabix Gang was an immensely popular ad campaign that ran during the 1980’s. The first tv advert starring them aired in 1982, and they proved popular enough that they managed to remain the official Weetabix mascots until 1989.
The gang were of course Weetabix themselves, and were represented as a gang of skinheaded bovver boys, with white shirts, drainpipe jeans and braces. Not exactly the kind of image you would expect a major breakfast cereal manufacturer to want to be associated with perhaps, but it was a decision that worked very well indeed.
The gang comprised of five members. Dunk was the leader, Brains was (unsurprisingly) the intelligent Weetabix who of course wore glasses, and Crunch was the muscle. Bixie was the token female member of the group (who wore yellow bows in her “hair”) but most peoples favourite Weetabix was Brian, who came across as being a little bit simple, and did very little except shout “OK!” in a quavery kind of voice.
The animated adverts usually took the form of the Weetabix gang parading around a table set with breakfast things whilst singing a song telling you that they were against “titchy breakfasts” of “airy-fairy cereals” and “breakfasts fit for sparrows”. Instead, they recommended “If you know what’s good for you”, you should partake of “Neat Wheat Mate”, that is of course a Weetabix or two, every morning. Most of the song was voiced by Dunk, with Bixie and Brian most likely to chip in with a “Yeah” or “OK”, and was delivered in an almost threatening manner, keeping true to the stereotypical image of the average skinhead.
The gang were so popular that Weetabix even started the Weetabix Club, for kids to join to get hold of freebies such as comic strips, postcards and badges. If you’d like to see one of those old adverts again, then check out the clip below.
June 5th, 2008 at 7:44 am
More breakfast cereals should threaten their consumer base. I LOVE these ads.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
My son has the complete colletion of soft toys which were a promotional offer with Weetabix. They are in mint condition… does anyone else out there have or remember these?
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Wow Diane, that certainly beats my single pin on badge of Dunk hands down! I’m sure they’ll be worth something some day, if they aren’t already…
I always love to hear when people have complete collections of things like this. Another favourite collection is the Natwest Piggy Banks (see http://www.childofthe1980s.com/2008/04/16/junior-bank-accounts/ for a reminder!), another that I don’t personally own, but wish I did!
April 8th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
[...] or talking animals or skinhead breakfast cereals or organised communities of yoghurts inviting me to kill (eat) them – it’s just one step [...]
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
hi after looking around my loft,i discovered 5 wheatabix soft toys in denim jeans ,white tops ,scarf and hat.Anybody any idea how much these are worth and if so ais anyone intrested in making me any offer?
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Another complete collection of Weetabix Gang soft toys! Well done Symon.
As to their value, I have no idea. I wonder if there’s some kind of general toy valuation guide you can get?
November 29th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
very interesting website. i am very intrested in purchasing a full set of weetabix men and would give £200 pound for a full set in good condition if anyone has any. james-lancaster@hotmail.co.uk
September 2nd, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Christopher Ellison (Burnside in The Bill) was the voice of Dunk, if I remember correctly…
September 2nd, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Really! Never knew that. An interesting point to raise too given that The Bill came to an end this week!
January 18th, 2011 at 10:45 pm
i still have my original yellow weetabix t shirt from the 80’s. it no longer fits me sadly. does anyone know if it has any value?
January 20th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
I guess it depends how much you wore it Sue?!
August 26th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
hi
would you sell me the weetabix badges you have on your website reply to
billy-38@hotmail.com
thanks Billy
August 26th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Sorry Billy, the badges weren’t mine. I think I found the picture off an eBay listing… Sorry to get your hopes up!
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:15 pm
hi
i managed to get the badges pictured above do you have the following badge anyone id be willing to buy it Weetabix Bixie ‘Aerobix’ from the 1980s colour set contact me on billy-38@hotmail.com
thank Billy
October 1st, 2011 at 9:57 pm
I remember when the weetabix gang first appeared on tv ,I wrote to weetabix and asked if they had a fan club a few months I was sent lots of freebies and the the first membership form of the weetabix fan club if only I knew as a child on how much money they made out of that idea I would be rich now
October 20th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
I have just found the display model of Dunk in the loft. It is 3 feet tall. Is anyone interested in buying him, and giving him a good home, I can be contacted on e-mail at dazwayne@hotmail.co.uk
December 21st, 2011 at 5:25 pm
I have a full set of the 5 Weetabix Gang in mint condition, if anyone is interested you can contact me on jhscissors@hotmail.com