Tinky Winky, Actor of ‘Teletubbies’ Killed by Alcohol and Hypothermia
The actor who played Tinky Winky in BBC show Teletubbies died of hypothermia, according to an inquest.
Simon Shelton, also known as Simon Barnes, was found “frozen to death“in a Liverpool street after lapsing into alcoholism.
Simon Shelton was found with a “high concentration of alcohol” in his body when he froze to death at the age of 52 following a night out in Liverpool in January.
An inquest by coroner Anita Bhardwaj recorded his cause of death as misadventure.
She remarked that it’s likely both the alcohol and plummeting temperatures caused his death,
Mrs Bhardwaj wrote:
“Simon Barnes was 52 with a medical history of alcohol dependence.”
She continued:
“On 17 January at 7.15am, Simon was found deceased at the Port of Liverpool Building in a well between the building and street.
“Toxicological analysis found a high concentration of alcohol.
“The temperature on the day was three degrees and it is more likely than not the combination of the alcohol consumed and the temperature caused his death.”
A trained ballet dancer and father of three, Simon Shelton replaced Dave Thompson who was fired from the role of Tinky Winky in 1997 after a year.
He starred in the popular TV show until its first run ended in 2001.
From 1994 to 1995, he played Dark Knight in the children’s game show, Incredible Games.
Simon Shelton found fame as the tallest Teletubby who always carried a red “magic” handbag.
He became embroiled in a furore over the sexuality of Tinky Winky, who was accused of being a gay role model who could be morally damaging to children by evangelical preacher Jerry Falwell in 1999.