Iconic children’s TV show Play School has won over generations of fans in its almost 60 years on Aussie screens.
Families have spent decades watching the legendary presenters help preschool children to learn, feel and imagine on the heartwarming program.
Now, ABC has paid tribute to its rotation of Play School hosts with an extra special series spanning its 58 years on air, featuring the return of many familiar faces.
Across its 363 seasons, Play School has been hosted by around 100 presenters, and many of them have now reappeared on screen to commemorate the show’s history.
Here, Daily Mail Australia takes a look at what the iconic stars have been doing since their stints on the children’s program as they return to the franchise.
ABC paid tribute to its Play School hosts with a series spanning its 58 years on air, featuring the return of many familiar faces (pictured: Monica Trapaga on the show in 1990 and 2024)
Monica Trapaga
Monica famously appeared on Play School from 1990 to 1998 and left fans reeling as she returned for the special nostalgic series, titled Big Ted’s Time Machine.
The new series sees a different present-day hosting duo travel back in time to a decade from the 1950s onwards, with former hosts making guest appearances.
And Monica featured as a TV reporter in the 1960s episode, making an extra special cameo which left parents nostalgic for their own childhoods.
She was instantly recognisable to viewers as she has barely aged a day since her Play School days, though she has turned away from children’s TV in recent years.
Since her days on the iconic children’s program, Monica has turned to a career in music, taking to the stage as a jazz singer.
Monica famously appeared on Play School from 1990 to 1998 but has since gone on to become a jazz singer and cabaret star
She frequently shares snaps of herself on stage accompanied by jazz bands as she continues to find success performing around the country with the group.
She has not completely shied away from her presenting roots as she is also the host of the Dinner Set on ABC Jazz.
Monica has also pursued her passion as a gardener, working at Longreef Beach House.
Georgie Parker
Georgie became a fan favourite while hosting Play School from 2006 until 2012, and returned for the throwback 1970s fun in the new series.
Before working on the children’s TV show, Georgie had already carved out a career for herself as a soap actress.
She starred in All Saints in the early noughties and also starred as Lucy Gardiner in A Country Practice.
Since Play School, Georgie has continued to work as a soap actress and still features on iconic Aussie show Home and Away.
She first portrayed Roo Stewart on the soap opera in 2010 and has gone on to become a long-running and recognisable face on the show.
Georgie also recently had a stint filming for rom com He Loves Me Not and appeared on stage in The Great Divide at the Ensemble Theatre.
Georgie became a fan favourite while hosting Play School from 2006 (left) until 2012, and returned for the throwback 1970s fun in the new series (right)
Before working on the children’s TV show, Georgie had already carved out a career for herself as a soap actress and has worked on Home and Away since 2010
George Spartels
While George starred on Play School from 1985 until 1999, he is also well-known for another TV role.
George portrayed Benito Alessi on Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1992 until the following year.
The presenter has also worked as a director, playwright and children’s musician over the years as he has tried his hand at a range of crafts.
He had a string of jobs as an actor across the 80s and 90s, and has picked up the odd TV roles in recent years including on City Homicide and All Saints.
Most recently, he worked as a narrator as he lent his voice to The Adventures of Wolfdogg and Red Ridinghood.
While George starred on Play School from 1985 (left) until 1999, he is also well-known for another TV role (right on his return to Play School in 2024)
George portrayed Benito Alessi on the Australian soap opera from 1992 until the following year in a brief soap opera career
Don Spencer
Don was a fan favourite on Play School in its early days as he started on the show in 1968, just two years after its launch.
He remained a part of the presenting team until 1999 and also went on to feature on the UK version of the show from 1972 until 1988.
Don is still one of the only presenters who has worked on both versions of the long-running show, proving himself to be a firm fan favourite.
As well as his presenting jobs, Don has also become a well-known musician and continues to show off his talents until this day.
In 1963, he released his first single Fireball, which was a theme tune to British science fiction series Fireball XL5, and it reached number 32 on the UK singles chart.
Don was a fan favourite on Play School in its early days as he started on the show in 1968, just two years after its launch (pictured left in 1968 and right in the new 2024 episode)
After leaving Play School, he set up the Australian Children’s Music Foundation – a non-for-profit group which provides weekly music classes for disadvantaged children around Australia.
Founder Don said of the organisation: ‘I’ve seen firsthand, time and time again, how music sparks creativity and imagination.
‘Music underpins the resilience and determination that many Australian kids need to overcome the challenges that life throws at them. The power of music can never be underestimated.’
Don has worked on an array of children’s music and most recently recorded the track Hold On To Your Dream.
Families were delighted at the Play School icons returning to screen this month as they took to social media to gush over the nostalgia of the long-running series.
As well as his presenting jobs, Don has also become a well-known musician and frequently works on children’s songs and on children’s TV programs
Fans remarked on how easily recognisable the stars were despite years off air as they praised their ageless looks.
One fan wrote on Facebook: ‘Wow they all look amazing! Well done them x,’ while another said: ‘Monica needs to spill her skin care regime cos she’s does not age! Beautiful!’
Parents also gushed over seeing the presenters from their own childhoods back on screen as they shared their delight over the ‘amazing’ and nostalgic episodes.
One said: ‘These presenters are my childhood. Monica and George in particular’, another wrote: ‘It’s really great to see the faces I grew up with in the new episodes.’
A third added: ‘Have absolutely loved watching these with my kids this week and seeing many familiar faces from when I was a kid.’
Play School is currently presented by a string of long-running presenters including Justine Clarke and Alex Papps (pictured in May 2016)
‘I hope they know how much happiness they’ve brought children over many, many years. They are all adored so much,’ another said.
A fifth gushed: ‘We have had these awesome episodes on high rotation! So much fun!’
‘Watched the 1970s episode this morning and it was AMAZING!! Feeling so happy for these nostalgic memories,’ one penned.
Play School is currently presented by a string of long-running presenters including Abi Tucker, Alex Papps, Andrew McFarlane, Emma Palmer and Justine Clarke.
Newer names including Hunter Page-Lochard, Kaeng Chan, Miah Madden and Eddie Perfect have also joined the long line-up in more recent years.
