Simon Barnes Shelton (13 January 1966 – 17 January 2018) was an English actor.

Simon Shelton
Born
Simon Barnes Shelton

(1966-01-13)13 January 1966
Died17 January 2018(2018-01-17) (aged 52)
Liverpool, England
OccupationActor
Years active1988–2018
Notable workPlaying Tinky Winky in Teletubbies (1997–2001)
SpouseEmma Robbins
Children3
RelativesEmily Atack (niece)

Biography

edit

Shelton was born in the Bethnal Green area of London on 13 January 1966.[citation needed]

Shelton was best known for his children's television work. He portrayed Tinky Winky on Teletubbies from 1997 to 2001, replacing the original actor Dave Thompson.[1] He also played Dark Knight on Incredible Games from 1994 to 1995.[2]

Shelton was married to Emma Robbins. They had two children and lived in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Shelton went on to have a further child with another partner.[2] Shelton's niece is actress Emily Atack.[2]

Shelton had a history of alcoholism.[3] On 17 January 2018, four days after his 52nd birthday, he was found dead in a car park stairwell near the Port of Liverpool Building in Liverpool.[2] His cause of death was hypothermia and he had a high concentration of alcohol in his system.[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Alcohol and hypothermia killed Tinky Winky actor Simon Shelton, inquest rules". Sky News. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Teletubbies' Tinky Winky actor Simon Shelton dies aged 52". BBC News. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Alcohol and hypothermia killed Tinky Winky actor Simon Shelton, inquest rules". Sky News. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Alcohol and hypothermia killed Tinky Winky actor Simon Shelton, inquest rules". Sky News. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
edit