Richard Noble

A classic. Recently rewatched the whole series and now can fully appreciate the writing and acting skills that made it so popular. Has its bizarre and far fetched moments but is relentlessly inventive and genuinely funny.

They made an average tv series out of an outstanding book series, with a strange concoction of mixed up plots and timelines, unbecoming shifts in casting and characterization, along with some distinctly suspect acting. If you're happy with the tv series, you might not want to bother reading the books. If you like the books, don't spoil it by watching the tv series.