Tinky Winky actor Simon Shelton Barnes dies aged 52

Tinky Winky actor Simon Shelton Barnes dies aged 52



The actor who played Tinky Winky in children's TV series the Teletubbies has died.



Father-of-three Simon Shelton Barnes, 52, of Ampthill, Bedfordshire, had trained as a ballet dancer and choreographer before taking on the role in the BBC show.



Mr Barnes, whose character was known for carrying a handbag, was the brother-in-law of Poldark actor Robert Daws and uncle of Inbetweeners star Emily Atack.





Atack, who played Charlotte Hinchcliffe in the Channel 4 comedy, said on Instagram: 'My wonderful uncle Simon Barnes has been taken from us all so suddenly.



'The kindest and most talented man you could ever wish to meet. Loved by all who knew him, and will be forever.'



Mr Barnes was initially reluctant to take on the role that led to him being sent fan mail from adults as well as children and feeling like a member of The Beatles.



He once said: 'I started my career as a ballet dancer and had just started working as a choreographer. I thought it was a bit of a risky move but it certainly paid off.



'We used to receive a lot of fan mail from kids and parents. I suppose we were a bit like the Beatles or the Take That of children's television.'



Mr Barnes was not the original Tinky Winky in Teletubbies, the show which originally ran on BBC Two between 1997 and 2001.



Actor Dave Thompson, who is now a comedian, was allegedly sacked by production company Ragdoll for 'misinterpreting' the role and implying the Teletubby was gay.



Mr Barnes said the sexuality of the character was a question he was frequently asked because of Tinky Winky's penchant for hand bags.



'People always ask me if Tinky Winky is gay,' he said. 'But the character is supposed to be a three-year-old so the question is really quite silly.'