Celebrity News January 24, 2018
Tragic Details of the Death of ‘Teletubbies’ Actor Simon Shelton Barnes
PBS
On Tuesday, it was revealed that actor Simon Shelton Barnes had passed away at the age of 52.
It has now been revealed that Barnes, known for his role as Tinky Winky on "Teletubbies," most likely died of hypothermia after collapsing on a street in Liverpool last week.
He reportedly “froze to death,” with the Merseyside Police adding, “There are no suspicious circumstances, so anything else around this tragedy we are referring to the coroners.”
After news broke of his sudden passing, his family paid tribute to him on social media. His makeup artist daughter Lydia Barnes wrote, “I love you so much dad. Always have, always will. The most beautiful man in the world. Forever in my heart.”
His son Henry shared on Facebook, “'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.”
Simon's niece Emily Atack took to Instagram to mourn his death, writing, “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."
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His other niece Molly Robbins added on Facebook, "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."
Barnes' former flatmate and friend Judith Tynan, the cousin of his ex-wife Emma Robbins, told DailyMailTV, “I'm very floored at losing him. He was just the best company. He was just the best person to live with and we got on terribly well. 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.”
Barnes' former co-star John Simmit, who played Dipsy on “Teletubbies,” tweeted, “What a week! RIP Simon Shelton aka Tinky Winky: remembering the many good times. Rest easy.”
