Ronnie Le Drew, the puppeteer behind Zippy and the David Bowie goblins, has died aged 78 | Dolls

Ronnie Le Drew, best known for using the Zippy toy in children’s TV show Rainbow, has died aged 78 after a long illness. The story was confirmed by the British Puppet Guild, of which Le Drew was president.

The Canadian-born British puppeteer was also known for his work on 1986’s Labyrinth alongside David Bowie and 1986’s Little Shop of Horrors and various Muppet films including 1992’s The Muppet Christmas Carol. He worked on various roles for Sooty, alongside Harry and Matthew Corbett, often as Sweep, Sooty’s sidekick.

He trained at London’s award-winning Little Angel Theatre, with whom he had a long association, and later taught there. He also founded the London School of Dolls and partner Caroline Astell-Burt.

In a statement announcing his death, the British Toy Association said: “We are saddened to announce the death of our president and friend Ronnie Le Drew, following a short illness.

Le Drew’s son, John, wrote via his father’s social media: “We are saddened to announce that Dad passed away this morning after a short illness.

The puppet duo Zippy and George were originally voiced by Roy Skelton, who also voiced Doctor Who’s Daleks between 1967 and 1988. He died in 2011aged 79, and contributed to the enduring popularity of brash mouthy know-it-all orange Zippy, as well as shy and retiring pink hippopotamus George.

The program was launched in 1972 and was developed by Thames Television continuously until 1992, with David Cook as the original presenter, and Geoffrey Hayes taking over in 1974. A Tetra Films revival from 1994 to 1997 featured Le Drew also acting as the voice of Zippy, and using a puppet.

Rainbow was created as the British equivalent of Sesame Street, with a group of friends who explore different educational topics together – often through a conflict between Zippy, George or Bungle the bear, which Hayes, who died in 2018they can agree.

Le Drew was working until recently, after appearing on the YouTube channel My 70s TV childhoodSpeaking about his work and work as Zippy, he described it as “a six-week contract that lasted 20 years”.