Teletubbies’ Tinky Winky star, Simon Shelton Barnes, sadly died at 52Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeAn actor who played Tinky Winky in the iconic BBC children’s TV series, Teletubbies, tragically passed away just weeks after relocating from London for a fresh start, according to a close friend. Fifty two year old Simon Shelton Barnes reportedly succumbed to hypothermia after being discovered on a Liverpool street on the morning of 17 January, 2018. He played the lovable purple Teletubby from 1998 to 2001. His sudden passing left loved ones reeling and questioning what went wrong. Simon, a trained dancer and choreographer, had only recently made the 180-mile move from his Bedfordshire home to the Wirral. His good friend Jane Rees revealed to The Sun that he had been finding it tough being away from his three children, who were his world. He had relocated to Liverpool with hopes of a new beginning and possibly a career change. Jane shared that Simon wanted to escape the distractions of London, which were hindering his productivity, reports the Mirror. Judith Tynan, Barnes’ flatmate and dear friend, told Mail Online that he died of hypothermia after collapsing on Liverpool’s streets. She expressed her devastation at his loss, describing him as “I’m very floored at losing him, he was just the best company.”
Teletubbies was one of the nation’s best-loved shows
(Image: BBC)
Read More
Related Articles
Boots No7 anti-ageing serum dubbed ‘life-changing’ by 60 year olds is now £10
Read More
Related Articles
Olympics star found dead in Las Vegas apartment – amid fears she choked on her food
His co-star John Summit, who played Dipsy, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media at the time, saying: “What a week! RIP Simon Shelton aka Tinky Winky: remembering the many good times. Rest easy.” Another friend said: “I’m gobsmacked at losing him. He was charming and handsome and delicate and so lovely to be around. He wasn’t difficult, he was pleasurable and a delicate man.” A Merseyside Police spokesman confirmed that Simon’s body was found in the Mann Island area of Liverpool and that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. An inquest later confirmed Simon has been found “frozen to death” after lapsing into alcoholism, recording the cause of his death as misadventure.
Tributes came pouring in for the actor
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Emily Atack’s Instagram post
(Image: emilyatackofficial/Instagram)
Simon, who was related to TV stars Robert Daws and Emily Atack, left his family in mourning. Robert expressed the difficulty of the situation: “It’s been a very tough week and we are all trying to look after the family as best we can.” Emily, known for her role in the E4 comedy series, paid tribute to her uncle: “My wonderful uncle Simon Barnes has been taken from us all so suddenly.” She remembered him as “the kindest and most talented man you could ever wish to meet” and said he was “loved by all who knew him, and will be forever”. He even compared the show’s success to iconic bands: “I suppose we were a bit like the Beatles or the Take That of children’s television.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnEmily AtackTake ThatComedyWhere Are They NowNostalgia
