- Joined
- Aug 11, 2008
- Messages
- 1,166
- Points
- 48
https://www.thedailybeast.com/teletubbies-tinky-winky-actor-froze-to-death
a day ago
Teletubbies’ ‘Tinky Winky’ Actor Froze to Death
REUTERS/Michael Dalder
The actor behind the Teletubbies’ Tinky Winky character froze to death, according to family members and police. Simon Shelton Barnes, 52, collapsed on a Liverpool street and died of hypothermia. He was found dead at 7:30 a.m. the following morning. Merseyside Police confirmed details surrounding his death, and stated that there was “no suspicious circumstances” found on the scene. Barnes played Tinky Winky from 1998 to 2001, and said he felt like a “member of The Beatles” during his time on the Teletubbies program.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5413427/tinky-winky-actor-dead-teletubbies-tributes-niece/
'SO MUCH MORE THAN TINKY WINKY'
Family’s heartbreaking tribute to Tinky Winky actor who ‘froze to death’
Simon Shelton Barnes is understood to have collapsed and died in the street in Liverpool as temperatures across the country plummeted last week
By Holly Christodoulou and Ellie Cambridge
24th January 2018, 1:01 pm
Updated: 24th January 2018, 1:15 pm
TRAGIC Teletubbies star Simon Barnes' niece has paid tribute to the actor after he "froze to death" - saying he was "more than Tinky Winky".
The 52-year-old is said to have collapsed and died in the street last week from hypothermia as temperatures plummeted across the country.
10
Simon Shelton Barnes played the much-loved character of Tinky Winky in the Teletubbies
His baker niece Molly Robbins today posted heartwarming snaps of her uncle as she paid tribute to him on Facebook.
She said: "Beautiful messages flooding in after the loss of our brilliant uncle Simon.
"He was so much more than Tinky Winky to us, but how incredible that his talent will continue to entertain young children for years to come.
"We all loved him so much."
Facebook
10
Molly Robbins has paid tribute to her uncle
Facebook
10
Simon's daughter, Lydia, also posted a tribute to her father
It comes after Simon's make up artist daughter Lydia released a heartbreaking tribute to her trained ballet dancer and choreographer dad.
She said: "I love you so much Dad... always have, always will. The most beautiful man in the world.
"Forever in my heart."
Simon took on the role of purple Teletubby Tinky Winky - known for carrying a magic handbag - between 1998 and 2001.
Facebook/John Summit
10
Co-star John Simmit, who appeared alongside him as green Tellytubby Dipsy posted a tribute to him
Handout
10
Teletubbies was a kids' TV sensation in the late 1990s
He once said being in the Teletubbies was "a bit like the Beatles or Take That of television".
Dad-of-three Barnes was married to actress Emma Robbins and used to live in Ampthill, Bedfordshire.
Tributes have been pouring in for the actor after his death in Liverpool which is not being treated as suspicious.
Simon’s son Henry wrote: “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.”
Rex Features
10
Simon played Tinky Winky in the children's TV show
Instagram
10
He trained as a ballet dancer and choreographer
His niece, Inbetweeners star Emily Atack, posted a black and white picture of the actor on Instagram and wrote: "My wonderful uncle Simon Barnes has been taken away 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."
Co-star John Simmit, who appeared alongside him as green Tellytubby Dipsy, posted a picture of the actors at the height of their fame.
He wrote: "What a week! RIP Simon Shelton aka Tinky Winky: remembering the many good times. Rest easy."
Simmit later added: "Lots of messaging between cast and crew as we became a tight bunch over six years on location. We'll give him an appropriate send off in a couple of weeks."
Rex Features
10
Family members have paid tribute to the beloved actor who appeared on the hit children's TV show
BBC
10
The Teletubbies actors in costume on the brightly coloured set
Facebook
10
Simon's daughter posted a series of pictures paying tribute to her dad
Tinky Winky was the largest and oldest of the group of Teletubbies.
He was purple and has a triangular antenna on his head and almost always seen carrying a red bag.
Simon was not the first to play the popular character - the original actor Dave Thompson left the show in 1997 after being told his "interpretation of the role was not acceptable".
The Teletubbies were a huge hit after airing on March 31, 1997 on BBC2. It was so successful it even had a number one hit in the UK charts in 1997.
MOST READ IN NEWS
a day ago
Teletubbies’ ‘Tinky Winky’ Actor Froze to Death
REUTERS/Michael Dalder
The actor behind the Teletubbies’ Tinky Winky character froze to death, according to family members and police. Simon Shelton Barnes, 52, collapsed on a Liverpool street and died of hypothermia. He was found dead at 7:30 a.m. the following morning. Merseyside Police confirmed details surrounding his death, and stated that there was “no suspicious circumstances” found on the scene. Barnes played Tinky Winky from 1998 to 2001, and said he felt like a “member of The Beatles” during his time on the Teletubbies program.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5413427/tinky-winky-actor-dead-teletubbies-tributes-niece/
'SO MUCH MORE THAN TINKY WINKY'
Family’s heartbreaking tribute to Tinky Winky actor who ‘froze to death’
Simon Shelton Barnes is understood to have collapsed and died in the street in Liverpool as temperatures across the country plummeted last week
By Holly Christodoulou and Ellie Cambridge
24th January 2018, 1:01 pm
Updated: 24th January 2018, 1:15 pm
TRAGIC Teletubbies star Simon Barnes' niece has paid tribute to the actor after he "froze to death" - saying he was "more than Tinky Winky".
The 52-year-old is said to have collapsed and died in the street last week from hypothermia as temperatures plummeted across the country.
10
Simon Shelton Barnes played the much-loved character of Tinky Winky in the Teletubbies
His baker niece Molly Robbins today posted heartwarming snaps of her uncle as she paid tribute to him on Facebook.
She said: "Beautiful messages flooding in after the loss of our brilliant uncle Simon.
"He was so much more than Tinky Winky to us, but how incredible that his talent will continue to entertain young children for years to come.
"We all loved him so much."
10
Molly Robbins has paid tribute to her uncle
10
Simon's daughter, Lydia, also posted a tribute to her father
It comes after Simon's make up artist daughter Lydia released a heartbreaking tribute to her trained ballet dancer and choreographer dad.
She said: "I love you so much Dad... always have, always will. The most beautiful man in the world.
"Forever in my heart."
Simon took on the role of purple Teletubby Tinky Winky - known for carrying a magic handbag - between 1998 and 2001.
Facebook/John Summit
10
Co-star John Simmit, who appeared alongside him as green Tellytubby Dipsy posted a tribute to him
Handout
10
Teletubbies was a kids' TV sensation in the late 1990s
He once said being in the Teletubbies was "a bit like the Beatles or Take That of television".
Dad-of-three Barnes was married to actress Emma Robbins and used to live in Ampthill, Bedfordshire.
Tributes have been pouring in for the actor after his death in Liverpool which is not being treated as suspicious.
Simon’s son Henry wrote: “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.”
Rex Features
10
Simon played Tinky Winky in the children's TV show
10
He trained as a ballet dancer and choreographer
His niece, Inbetweeners star Emily Atack, posted a black and white picture of the actor on Instagram and wrote: "My wonderful uncle Simon Barnes has been taken away 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."
Co-star John Simmit, who appeared alongside him as green Tellytubby Dipsy, posted a picture of the actors at the height of their fame.
He wrote: "What a week! RIP Simon Shelton aka Tinky Winky: remembering the many good times. Rest easy."
Simmit later added: "Lots of messaging between cast and crew as we became a tight bunch over six years on location. We'll give him an appropriate send off in a couple of weeks."
Rex Features
10
Family members have paid tribute to the beloved actor who appeared on the hit children's TV show
BBC
10
The Teletubbies actors in costume on the brightly coloured set
10
Simon's daughter posted a series of pictures paying tribute to her dad
Tinky Winky was the largest and oldest of the group of Teletubbies.
He was purple and has a triangular antenna on his head and almost always seen carrying a red bag.
Simon was not the first to play the popular character - the original actor Dave Thompson left the show in 1997 after being told his "interpretation of the role was not acceptable".
The Teletubbies were a huge hit after airing on March 31, 1997 on BBC2. It was so successful it even had a number one hit in the UK charts in 1997.
MOST READ IN NEWS
