Teletubbies scandal as show turn 25 – Tinky Winky dies, lesbian sex scene and shot

The hugely successful children’s television show Teletubbies first aired on March 31, 1997 and has delighted over 1 billion children worldwide, and four colorful aliens. even won two BAFTA awards

Loading video

Video not available

The video will automatically play soon8Cancel

Start playing

Watch Teletubbies’ Bizarre Intro

Teletubbies may be one of the most successful children’s TV shows, but shocking scandals have perpetuated the history of four colorful aliens – Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Laa-Laa. Po.

The quartet first hit our screens on March 31, 1997, and wowed young audiences with their nonsense language, tummy-slinging television screens, and unique antennas emanating from their heads. them, help identify them.

Since the launch of Teletubbies 25 years ago, it has entertained more than 1 billion children worldwide and delighted generations of children who have been mesmerized by four colorful characters who live in Tubbyland with their their Noo-Noo vacuum cleaner, eat Tubby Custard and Tubby Toast cakes, and be watched over by the cute Sun Baby.

The show has been translated into 45 different languages ​​and has won numerous awards, including two BAFTAs, and 42 Teletubbies sold every minute. .

But behind the scenes, dark secrets still linger, which detracts from the film’s clarity, with stories of actors being fired from the show, as well as tragic deaths. .

Here, we take a look at what happened to the actors who played the original Teletubbies…

Tinky Winky Tragedy

The biggest Teletubby – and apparently the oldest – is the purple Tinky Winky, who sadly caused the most controversy during her tenure on the children’s TV show.

Some disgruntled viewers assumed the character was gay, as he carried a red handbag, with a US missionary warning parents that the adorable purple alien was “gay pride color”, while his triangular antennae is a “gay pride symbol”.

Original Tinky Winky actor Dave Thompson left the show after the first few episodes due to “creative differences,” and it was later reported that the show’s production company “implied” the character. are gay.

Dave said he’s “proud” of his time in the role, and goes on to have a successful comedy career.

He was replaced by Simon Shelton, a trained ballet dancer and choreographer.

Simon said he has received fan letters from children and parents, and said the speculation surrounding Tinky Winky’s sexual orientation is “really pretty silly”.

Sadly, he died of hypothermia in January 2018 at the age of 52.

Epileptic

The bright green teletuubby has been a favorite with young audiences and is played by comedian John Simmit, who said his performance was influenced by a reggae soundtrack.

“Dipsy would say, ‘Papa Come Papa Come To Po,’ which is really my classic reggae song called The Whip,” he explains.

“And I would slide in the Jamaican jumps, a Bogle over there and a Tatty here. People spot my little wink at my culture and I’m proud of that,” he shared.

John also said that wearing heavy clothes for hours at a time was an uncomfortable experience and had to wear special underwear to absorb sweat.

“When we weren’t dressed, you had to look the other way and talk to us at a distance because we were soggy and sweaty, you could squeeze us out. Huge props for our wardrobe for booking with us! ” he joked.

Laa-Laa

The yellow alien with the curly antenna is the lovely Laa-Laa, the second youngest of the Teletubbies.

The character is played by trained dancer Nikky Smedley, who received the role after responding to a newspaper ad asking for the actor to star in a new children’s TV show.

She was one of the first actors to hold the role during the show’s first four years.

Nikky has previously explained that the hot and heavy suits are a nightmare, as they have to be inside them for up to 11 hours a day.

She left the show and began working for Ragdoll Productions, and also choreographed other hit children’s shows including In The Night Garden.

Po

The child of the Teletubbies family is the red alien Po, who is best known for her circular antenna, love of bubbles, and her precious possession – her scooter.

Actress Pui Fan Lee landed the role of Po shortly after leaving drama school, and she’s the star of the iconic photo taken during a break from filming, which shows her lying on a fake lawn in while still dressed as her character.

Pui is a successful actress as well as a different self when she dresses up as Teletubby, and made headlines when she starred in lesbian sex scenes for the Channel’s Metrosexuality show. 4.

“Yes, I am Po, but I am an actress, and the role looks very interesting. I don’t take on lesbian roles to intentionally cause controversy,” she explained.

Pui returns to children’s TV and is one of the hosts of the much-loved CBeebies series Sow Me, Show Me, alongside Chris Jarvis.

She also had a small role in 2004’s Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, as well as 28 Weeks Later, where she played a zombie named Helen.

Pui also played Dr. Fremantle in EastEnders in 2019, and her scenes involved the autism diagnosis of Ollie, the son of Mick and Linda Carter.

Sun Baby

Sun Baby was originally played by Jess Smith, who was hired by the producers after she was weighed in the hospital.

The adorable animal will appear at the beginning of each episode to wake up the Teletubbies, and will also appear at the end to mark the sunset.

Jess played Sun Baby from 1997 to 2001, and she was replaced with a new baby named Berry when the show was revived in 2015.

She revealed that to make her laugh and scream, her dad was in front of her to play with toys, while she was being filmed.