Childhood memories are laden with four loved tv characters that made up the Teletubbies. To this day, if you switch on the TV, chances are you will stumble across the Teletubbies on a kiddies channel. They first took to our screens on March 1, 1997 and still remain relevant now in 2018.
In sad news, the actor who played Tinky Winky in the iconic series has died. Simon Shelton Barnes, 52, had trained as a ballet dancer and choreographer before taking on the role of the popular television series. His character was known for carrying a handbag in the children’s series.
His son, Henry, posted on Facebook: “I lost my lovely dad on Wednesday, he was the kindest and most gentle man I knew and I love him more than anything!!!!
“I always used to be embarrassed as a child that he was a dancer and an actor but now I couldn’t be more proud! He is in a better place now and I know he wouldn’t want me to be sad, so I’m going to live my life the way he would want me to.”
Barnes was not the original Tinky Winky. Actor Dave Thompson, who now works as a stand-up comedian, was sacked by the production company for implying the character was gay. Barnes said previously in interviews that it was a question he was frequently asked because of Tinky Winky trademark handbag
“People always ask me if Tinky Winky is gay. But the character is supposed to be a three-year-old so the question is really quite silly,” he said.
Picture: Instagram