Fairy Liquid
BLAST FROM THE PAST
The iconic Fairy Liquid bottle is to make a dramatic return to the shelves of Britain's supermarkets, it emerged yesterday (Sun).
The 7.5-inch tall bottles, which were used by the nation's children to create rockets or squeegee water cannons as soon as they were empty, are back to celebrate the brand's 50th birthday.
And Nanette Newman, the original Fairy Mum from the 1980s adverts, has agreed to do the voiceover for a new TV ad campaign around the relaunch.
The old white bottles will initially be sold in Morrisons stores from February 8th but will be rolled out nationally afterwards.
Fairy Liquid was born in 1960 but became a popular household brand five years later thanks to the 'Hands that do dishes can feel as soft as your face' ad slogan.
Children also fell in love with the bottle thanks to its ability to be turned into everything from a pen pot to a rocket with a little bit of imagination.
Fairy Liquid was also used to successfully remove oil from penguins, sea birds and other wildlife following oil spills around the coast of the UK.
Yesterday Catherine Fairchild of Fairy, said: ''Many people have very fond memories of the white bottle, as generations of children were kept entertained with them once their parents had finished with them.
''After waiting patiently for their mum or dad to use the final drop of liquid, children turned the bottle into all kinds of things from rockets, to planes, to water pistols and pen pots, or anything else they conjured up in their imagination.
''The bottle became an essential of part of any child's make-and-do kit.
''The white Fairy bottle was even made famous by Blue Peter's John Noakes when he made the Blue Peter rocket, a creation that was copied by children up and down the country.
''Now children who weren't around when the original white bottle was on the shelves have got their own chance to get inventive and make their own Fairy Liquid bottle creation.''
The Fairy name was first used in 1898 on a bar of pale yellow soap before Procter and Gamble acquired the brand and Fairy Baby trademark in 1930.
After 40 years, the iconic white bottle was phased out in 2000 amid concerns it was difficult to control and the current ergonomic design took over.
P and G also changed the formula to make it more concentrated.
But earlier this year, bosses halted production of the new, lighter, clear bottle at the company's factory in Grays, Essex to enable the old ones to be produced.
Project leader Gil Rabbie said: ''It was like a long lost memory passing before my eyes.
''If I had managed to get my hands on this many white bottles during my youth, I could have engineered my own rocket.''
Catherine Fairchild added: ''We're often asked if the classic white bottle will be making a come-back.
''Our 50th anniversary seemed the perfect occasion to bring it back for a limited period and give our loyal friends a gift from Fairy.
''But you may want to hold on to it this time as it could be the last time you see them.
''Perhaps encourage the kids to use other empty packs and bottles for their creative play.
Yesterday Nanette Newman, now 75, said: ''I loved making the Fairy ads, they were a big part of my life for a long time so I am delighted to be part of the 50th celebrations.
''Fairy has always been a kitchen essential for me, and now my daughters both use Fairy - it has been passed down through the generations like a favourite recipe.''
