Ronnie Le Drew obit

Legendary puppeteer and children's TV star dies aged 78

 

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Legendary children's TV star Ronnie Le Drew has died at the age of 78, it has been confirmed.

The Canadian‑born British puppeteer and actor was best known as the man behind Zippy in the iconic ITV children’s show Rainbow.

His death was announced by the British Puppet Guild this morning (Monday, JKuly 27).

The statement said: "We are saddened to announce the death of our President and friend Ronnie Le Drew, following a short illness.

"Ronnie has been our president for 10 years, possibly the most active and supportive president we have ever had or will have.

"Attending nearly every event, whether it be online or in person, often performing when asked and always willing to chat, tell stories and entertain in whatever way he could.

"Ronnie was, of course, known for Zippy, but his legacy in the puppetry world stretches far more than that, and there will be countless puppeteers mourning the loss of our dear friend.

"He meant so much to so many, and the legacy of his life will live on."

Mr Le Drew had attended Abbey Con, a comic convention in Abingdon, and was due to return to this year's event in autumn.

A statement from Trooper Events UK, the team behind the convention, said: "We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of a dear friend and supporter of our events, Ronnie Le Drew.

"Ronnie was one of the friendliest and kindest people we had the pleasure of knowing.

"He always brought warmth and kindness with him, and he will be missed dearly.

"We send our love and deepest condolences to all of Ronnie’s family and friends who have lost such a beautiful person.

"Ronnie was due to return to Abbey-Con this year, but sadly his health suddenly took a turn for the worse. We will miss him dearly and remember him always.

"Rest in peace, Ronnie. You will never be forgotten."

Other tributes include those from Paul Robertson on X, who wrote: "I was not expecting to wake up to any of this news today.

"Ronnie Le Drew (best known as ‘Zippy’ in Rainbow) has unfortunately passed away.

"Was very grateful to always have chats online with him about Rainbow, Sooty and puppets.

"Condolences go to his friends and family."

Born in Toronto on 23 October 1947, he moved to Britain as a teenager and trained at the Little Angel Theatre in London, becoming John Wright’s second apprentice and learning every aspect of puppetry.

His association with the Little Angel Theatre spanned more than 30 years, first as a performer and later as a director, and he went on to co‑found the London School of Puppetry with his partner Caroline Astell‑Burt.

Le Drew began working on Rainbow in 1973, operating Zippy and later providing the character’s unmistakable voice, and remained with the programme for around 20 years, including spin‑offs such as Rainbow Days.

Away from Rainbow, he appeared on a string of classic children’s shows, including Playdays, Michael Bentine’s Potty Time, The Tommy Cooper Show, Mortimer and Arabel, Utterly Brilliant with Timmy Mallett and multiple versions of The Sooty Show, often performing Sweep and other characters.

His film credits took him into some of the biggest fantasy productions of the last half‑century, with puppetry work on Labyrinth, Little Shop of Horrors, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island, Beauty and the Beast and Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

Le Drew also contributed to adverts and live events, from operating the original Bill and Ben in an Ideal Home Exhibition commercial to animating “Brains” from Thunderbirds in a memorable Drench water campaign.

In 2019, he published his memoir Zippy and Me: My Life Inside Britain’s Most Infamous Puppet, looking back on six decades in puppetry and the way characters like Zippy, Sweep and others shaped generations of British childhoods.