Simon Shelton Barnes Tinky Winky
Simon Shelton Barnes the actor who played Tinky Winky (the purple one) in BBC children’s television series Teletubbies has died only four days after his 52nd birthday.
Reports confirmed that the father of three died of hypothermia after collapsing on the streets of Liverpool yesterday.
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Hypothermia (hi-poe-THUR-me-uh) occurs as your body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C).
His son posted a tribute on Facebook, writing: “I lost my lovely dad on Wednesday, he was the kindest and most gentle man I knew and I love him more than anything!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy-yIsQgJEA
“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.”
The funeral will take place on the 7 February at the Bedford Crematorium. Family members have asked those attending to “wear bright colours” to remember Barnes.