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Andy Cunningham, the creator of children's TV show Bodger and Badger, has died from cancer at the age of 67.
He also starred in the BBC show, in which he played handyman Simon Bodger and provided the voice for the beret-wearing badger that loved mashed potato.
Mr Cunningham died at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton on Monday.
His sister Tessa said he "lived to be loved and to make people laugh, starting with me, his little sister".
'Funniest big brother'
Mr Cunningham, who read English at Cambridge, gave comedian Julian Clary his first job when he was writing and directing for the Covent Garden Community Theatre Group, and he worked as a puppeteer in the Star Wars film Return of the Jedi.
"He had a quicksilver brain, a rebellious attitude, boundless compassion particularly for the underdog, unstinting levels of generosity and, of course, a passion for mashed potato," Ms Cunningham said.
"I adored him and, long before he found fame, was immensely proud to have the funniest, cleverest big brother in the universe."
Mr Cunningham's former partner and close friend Jane Bassett was with him when he died, along with his sister and nieces.
Ms Bassett played Mousey in Bodger and Badger, which ran on the BBC from 1989 to 1999.
Tributes have been paid on Twitter to Mr Cunningham.
More news from Sussex here
Allo Allo and Emmerdale actress Vicki Michelle said: "RIP Andy Cunningham. Sad news. Such a legend on children's TV #bodgerandbadger."
DJ and presenter Paul Manners said: "Rest In Peace legendary childhood icon Andy Cunningham. #BodgerAndBadger #CBBC #MashedPotato."
Singer songwriter Dean Boroczky from Worthing, West Sussex, who appeared on The Voice, wrote: "Aww RIP Andy Cunningham. Bodger and Badger was literally my childhood".
@ChrisW_Theatre tweeted the BBC "Lovely tribute from his sister", while Lesley Coutts said: "Loved this show x will be sadly missed xx RIP".
The poor man really has a stake in the country. The rich man hasn't; he can go away to New Guinea in a yacht. The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all
We love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be.
"the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king,
Sam Panopoulos, who has died aged 83, leaves a legacy that has delighted, confused and appalled diners worldwide. Often at the same time.
Panopoulos is the Canadian man who invented Hawaiian pizza, a dish so divisive it led to a presidential outburst this year.
The poor man really has a stake in the country. The rich man hasn't; he can go away to New Guinea in a yacht. The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all
We love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be.
"the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king,
New Heavy Gear Log! Also...Grey Knights! The correct pronunciation is Imperial Guard and Stormtroopers, "Astra Militarum" and "Tempestus Scions" are something you'll find at Hogwarts.
I'm suddenly so much happier that I got to see "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders" while Adam West was alive. If I'd watched it after his passing, I don't think I could've put myself in the kind of mood one needs to enjoy that movie.
I'm so sorry to see him go.
Emperor's Eagles (undergoing Chapter reorganization)
Caledonian 95th (undergoing regimental reorganization)
Thousands Sons (undergoing Warband re--- wait, are any of my 40K armies playable?)
If only he had his Bat- Grim Reaper-Repellant in his utility belt. He was an icon.
We were once so close to heaven, St. Peter came out and gave us medals; declaring us "The nicest of the damned".
“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
Since his death last week, reports have trickled out about Adam West banging up to eight women a day in his prime. That might sound like a lot of work, but he was usually pretty lighthearted about it all.
Back in the show's heyday, both West and Frank Gorshin (who played the Riddler) turned up to a Hollywood party, only to discover it was actually an orgy.
They were drunk, found it amusing, so decided to stay - but they wanted to take part in the group sex in character.
So West got into his Batman voice and started quoting lines; the Riddler did the same. Until they both got thrown out for not taking it seriously enough.
The poor man really has a stake in the country. The rich man hasn't; he can go away to New Guinea in a yacht. The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all
We love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be.
"the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king,
Since his death last week, reports have trickled out about Adam West banging up to eight women a day in his prime. That might sound like a lot of work, but he was usually pretty lighthearted about it all.
Back in the show's heyday, both West and Frank Gorshin (who played the Riddler) turned up to a Hollywood party, only to discover it was actually an orgy.
They were drunk, found it amusing, so decided to stay - but they wanted to take part in the group sex in character.
So West got into his Batman voice and started quoting lines; the Riddler did the same. Until they both got thrown out for not taking it seriously enough.
This is a banging party isn't it, Batman?
West will not be forgotten so soon. I heard that LA was going to light up a bat signal at their city hall in remembrance.
H.B.M.C.- The end hath come! From now on armies will only consist of Astorath, Land Speeder Storms and Soul Grinders!
War Kitten- Vanden, you just taunted the Dank Lord Ezra. Prepare for seven years of fighting reality...
koooaei- Emperor: I envy your nipplehorns. <Magnus goes red. Permanently>
Neronoxx- If our Dreadnought doesn't have sick scuplted abs, we riot.
Frazzled- I don't generally call anyone by a term other than "sir" "maam" "youn g lady" "young man" or " HEY bag!"
Ruin- It's official, we've ran out of things to talk about on Dakka. Close the site. We're done.
mrhappyface- "They're more what you'd call guidlines than actual rules" - Captain Roboute Barbosa
Steve steveson- To be clear, I'd sell you all out for a bottle of scotch and a mid priced hooker.
Babylon 5 appears to have been bad for the health of the cast. The entire main cast of TNG, DS9, Voy, ENT, and BSG are all still alive as far as I'm aware, but for Babylon 5...G'kar, Mr. Garibaldi, Dr. Franklin, Commander Sinclair, Zach Allen, and now Vir Cotto...
IRON WITHIN, IRON WITHOUT.
New Heavy Gear Log! Also...Grey Knights! The correct pronunciation is Imperial Guard and Stormtroopers, "Astra Militarum" and "Tempestus Scions" are something you'll find at Hogwarts.
Children's presenter Brian Cant has died at the age of 83.
He was best known for presenting BBC's Play School for 21 years from 1964, and Play Away from 1971 to 1984.
His agent said he had been living with Parkinson's disease and died at Denville Hall, a retirement home often used by those in the entertainment industry.
A statement from the family said: "He lived courageously with Parkinson's disease for a long time."
Cant was also a guest presenter on Jackanory and appeared on ITV's Dappledown Farm, which ran from 1990 to 2003.
He got his big break when he auditioned for Play School, when part of the audition required him to climb into a cardboard box.
His voice was known to millions in shows such as Trumpton, his most famous line being the fire brigade call-out: "Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble, Grub."
Brian Cant: A much loved part of childhood - by David Silitto, Arts correspondent
For millions his voice immediately evokes childhood.
In the early '60s - an audition in which he was asked to sit in a cardboard box led to a job on a new programme called Play School.
Born in Ipswich, he trained as a printer before having a go at acting.
The warm, friendly voice was perfect for another children's venture - Trumpton, Camberwick Green - and the slightly more industrial Chigley.
If it sounds as though it was recorded in a cupboard, it's because it was.
Along with Play Away, Bric a Brac and other programmes he was part of children's TV for more than 20 years.
He wrote and appeared on stage, but more than anything he was - for many - a much loved part of childhood.
Cant was honoured with a special Children's Bafta award in 2010.
In a BBC interview, he explained that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1999.
He said the one thing he wanted children to take away from his work was "that I made them laugh, I made them feel happy".
On receiving his Bafta, Cant said: "One of the main rules of those Play School days was that we should play to the camera as though we were talking to one child, in whatever circumstance.
"It could be somebody in a tower block, a nice semi-detached somewhere, or a Royal palace. You had to phrase everything so, whoever was watching it, they felt you were talking to them."
The poor man really has a stake in the country. The rich man hasn't; he can go away to New Guinea in a yacht. The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all
We love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be.
"the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king,
Babylon 5 appears to have been bad for the health of the cast. The entire main cast of TNG, DS9, Voy, ENT, and BSG are all still alive as far as I'm aware, but for Babylon 5...G'kar, Mr. Garibaldi, Dr. Franklin, Commander Sinclair, Zach Allen, and now Vir Cotto...
Martin Landau was in a lot of stuff back in the day. I've watched some of the classic Mission: Impossible episodes, and he was probably my favorite character. I haven't seen any of Space: 1999, but I've heard it was interesting. Moviewise I really liked North by Northwest where he was the main villain's assistant, and he actually played a Native American in the 1965 comedy western, The Hallelujah Trail (very fun movie that no one I talk to has ever heard of). And he has a lot more credits that I can't think of. So he got around a lot.
RIP Rollin Hand, and my condolences to his family and friends.
My armies (re-counted and updated on 11/1/23, including modeled wargear options):
Dark Angels: ~15000 Astra Militarum: ~1200 | Adeptus Custodes: ~1900 | Imperial Knights: ~2000 | Sisters of Battle: ~3500 | Leagues of Votann: ~1200 | Tyranids: ~2600 | Stormcast Eternals: ~5000
Check out my P&M Blogs: ZergSmasher's P&M Blog | Imperial Knights blog | Board Games blog | Total models painted in 2023: 40 | Total models painted in 2024: 12 | Current main painting project: Dark Angels
Mr_Rose wrote: Who doesn’t love crazy mutant squawk-puppies? Eh? Nobody, that’s who.
It appears Chester Bennington of Linkin Park has committed suicide.
A fixture of the soundtrack of my early 20s. RIP.
We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark
The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.
The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox
I always assume or at least like to assume that the depression that fuels a lot of music abates when they find some success. Certainly sad to be reminded that is not the case.
RIP Chester Bennington. Seems to give their new song "Heavy" a more profound meaning. Whether you like their music or not, this is a sad day. For me, their music was something that got me through some rough patches now and then. It was something I could crank up and relate to, when I didn't necessarily want to be uplifted, but just wanted to scream. He will be missed.