Ten years ago I met an idol of mine – and he didn’t disappoint.

I had been fortunate enough to secure an interview with Peter Firmin – the man who, along with long-time collaborator Oliver Postgate – created Bagpuss.

The saggy old cloth cat – which this week marked the 50th anniversary of his TV debut – and I were of a similar vintage; children of the early 70s.

As a consequence we grew up together. I’d also unwittingly driven by Peter’s home in Blean more times than I care to mention.

So when the opportunity arose to speak to the last survivor of the Lennon and McCartney of children’s television (their other hits included the likes of Ivor the Engine, Clangers and Noggin the Nog) it was hard to resist.

Peter Firmin, who died just four years later, was everything I’d hoped he be. He was 85 at the time but sprightly and clearly with an active mind. We discussed his past and he was charming company.

At some point, he disappeared upstairs. As I sat at his kitchen table chatting to his wife and Oliver Postgate’s son, Dan, he emerged clutching the original Bagpuss. And plonked it down beside me.

I say original – I think he said it was one of those used in the opening credits rather than the mechanical one used for filming – but who wants to split hairs over coming face-to-face with a childhood friend?

Here he was...an iconic creation which had been such a regular visitor in my childhood home courtesy of relentless repeats when I was younger and who had stretched his influence to my (then) young children too.

He even graciously allowed me to have a photograph taken with Bagpuss in his back garden. It was significant because his back window was the one used as the shop front in the show. And here I was – following in Emily’s footsteps all those years later.

I was given a tour of his workshop – full of bits of Clanger I seem to remember – like some bizarre childhood character butchery.

As for Dan Postgate – he was now in charge of Smallfilms; the production company his father and Peter had formed.

What it must be like, I pondered, to be the son of a man whose voice is so intrinsically linked to so many much-loved children’s programmes?

I wonder if Bagpuss’ time as such an influential figure in childhood is beginning to wane. After all, it was my generation who fell under his spell. We passed it on to our children in the way we do – but will they carry the flame forward to their offspring? I certainly hope so.

All these years later, the memories of that day remain extremely fond ones. The day I stood outside ‘Emily’s shop’ went in and met the saggy old cloth cat himself.

There were, I’m sad to report, no sign of the mice, Professor Yaffle or Madeleine. Or Gabriel the toad for that matter. But you can’t have everything.