Simon Shelton, the British actor best known for playing Tinky Winky on the children's television series Teletubbies, died in January 2018 at the age of 52 after being found frozen to death on a street in Liverpool. An inquest ruled that he died from hypothermia, with a combination of alcohol in his system and the cold weather contributing to his death.
Life and career
Born in London, Shelton played the Dark Knight in the first series of Incredible Games from 1994 to 1995, but it was his next role that brought him widespread fame. He played the purple Teletubby Tinky Winky on Teletubbies, which originally aired on BBC2, between 1998 and 2001.
The children's series reached cult status and was aired in over 120 countries in 45 different languages. At the height of its fame, Teletubbies even produced a number 1 single. Shelton was also a trained dancer and choreographer, and in 2007 he took part in the Teletubbies revival tour, where he reunited with co-star Nikky Smedley, who played yellow Teletubby Laa-Laa, and the pair had a 'real blast'.
Personal struggles
In July 1991, Shelton married actress Emma Robbins, and the couple had two children together: son Henry Barnes and makeup artist Lydia. They lived together in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, and former neighbours described them as a 'lovely couple'. However, the marriage ended, and Shelton later met a woman called Samantha, with whom he had a son named Finley.
Shelton's close friend Jane Rees, who the actor had lived with after moving to The Wirral in Merseyside the year before his death, said that Shelton had struggled with being separated from his three children, who meant 'everything to him'. She added that he had come to stay with her, almost 200 miles from his previous home in Bedfordshire, because he was 'disillusioned in Ampthill' and was 'looking for a new direction' after finishing his time as a choreographer due to injury and age. She called Liverpool his 'fresh start' and said he had moved up to 'think about a new career'.
Tragic death
Shelton died within weeks of moving to Liverpool, on January 17, 2018. He was discovered just after 7 am at the Port of Liverpool Building, in a well between the building and the street. The inquest found he had died from hypothermia after a night out, with the coroner ruling that his death was likely from a combination of alcohol in his system and the 3C temperature outside.
The actor was found in the Mann Island area of Liverpool with a 'high concentration of alcohol' in his system, and his death was not treated as suspicious. Locals told The Mirror at the time: "We don't know many details, but we understand he collapsed in the street and possibly died of hypothermia."
Gone but never forgotten
Tributes poured in after Shelton's death. His friend Jane Rees was reported by The Mirror as saying: "He was generous, very happy and outgoing. He was very stylish, handsome and incredibly talented. He was also very sensitive. He was a talented dancer and photographer. He has had a really fantastic and privileged life. He's got three beautiful children and as my mum used to say when it's your time it's your time."
Shelton's former Teletubbies co-star John Summit, who played Dipsy, wrote on social media: "What a week! RIP Simon Shelton aka Tinky Winky: remembering the many good times. Rest easy." Television stars Emily Atak and Robert Dawes, who were family members, also paid tribute. Robert said: "It's been a very tough week and we are all trying to look after the family as best we can." Emily called her 'wonderful uncle' 'the kindest and most talented man you could ever wish to meet', adding that he was 'loved by all who knew him, and will be forever'.
