Voice of Rainbow's Zippy dead aged 78: Ronnie Le Drew passes away following a short illness

Children's TV star Ronnie Le Drew, the puppeteer behind iconic Rainbow star Zippy has died at the age of 78. The Canadian-born British puppeteer was best known for operating the character Zippy on the show from the early 70s for two decades. The puppet was originally operated by Violet Philpott before Ronnie took over in 1974. He became both the puppeteer and voice of the puppet during the 1994 reboot. Ronnie's death was announced by the British Puppet Guild on Monday. The statement read: '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. The puppeteer of Rainbow's Zippy, Ronnie Le Drew has died aged 78 following a short illness His son later took to X to confirm the news, writing: 'John Ronnie’s son here. We’re devastated to announce that Dad passed away this morning, after a brief illness''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.'His son later took to X to confirm the news, writing: 'John Ronnie’s son here. We’re devastated to announce that Dad passed away this morning, after a brief illness...'We’re all grieving and sorry for our loss of such a sweet beautiful man. John, Liz and family'Rainbow was originally conceived as a British equivalent of Sesame Street. Each episode told the story of a situation that arose in the Rainbow House, where the main characters lived. The puppet characters, Zippy, an unknown yellowish creature - and his friends Bungle the teddy bear, George the hippopotamus and Zippy, would take the role of inquisitive children asking about the episode's subject.It was first presented by David Cook, with Geoffrey Hayes taking over the role of a teacher figure, from 1974.Violet was forced to step down as pupeteer after just one year following a back injury from Zippy's appearances all being through a window. She was replaced by John Thirtle, before Ronnie stepped in to the job in 1974.The Canadian-born British puppeteer was best known for playing the character Zippy on the show from the early 70s for two decades, (Zippy pictured with George and Bungle) A reboot of the show made by Tetra Films debuted in January 1994 with a reworked format and nearly all cast members replaced. Geoffrey's presenter role was scrapped making Zippy, George and Bungle the main focus. Tetra could not afford Roy Skelton to voice Zippy as well as hiring Ronnie to operate, leading to Ronnie becoming both Zippy's operator and voice.The show would feature songs from Rod Burton, Jane Tucker and Freddy Marks who would make regular appearances as they stopped by the Rainbow House.Freddy passed away in 2021, aged 71 after a battle with cancer. Roy died in 2018 from a stroke in 2011 while Geoffrey died in 2018 from pneumonia. In 2019, Ronnie revealed the lewd secrets behind children's TV classic Rainbow that involved a heaving-drinking cast who loved 'getting lashed' and arranging the animals into sex positions.Ronnie released a tell-all memoir called Zippy and Me, that shattered the innocence of the hit show. Rainbow ran for 27 series and 1,071 episodes, after its launch in 1972. The show would feature songs from Rod Burton, Jane Tucker and Freddy Marks who would make regular appearances as they stopped by the Rainbow House Bungle, George, and Zippy on the hit children's show Rainbow. Stood behind them is Geoffrey Hayes who presented the show for two decades X was flooded with tributes and anecdotes from fansRonnie, a former debt collector, revealed the sexism backstage and also the culture of heavy drinking.He claimed that the show's star singer, Jane Tucker, had the nickname 'Miss Whiplash' because she would open her coat to show a 'leather S&M outfit' and would ask Zippy to 'play with her maracas.' In one incident an archbishop was being given a tour of Thames Television’s studios and stumbled across the team laughing with 'Zippy mounted upon George, going at it hammer and tongs.'Comedians Jim Davidson and Bobby Davro were 'absolutely obsessed' with the puppets and “paralysed with fear” about appearing with them, he said.And as the show was watched by millions they met the Queen and Prince Philip at a children's party in Hyde Park in 1979.Ronnie said there was a kids' art competition where the winner had drawn a portrait of the Queen 'painted with an almost entirely black face', he said. Ronnie's book, Zippy and MeHer Majesty smiled politely and congratulated the little boy but the Duke of Edinburgh apparently burst out laughing before turning to his wife saying: 'Oh dear, I think you’re going to have to change your make-up'. Le Drew said that Sid, the props man, would often make lewd suggestions about the show's director Pamela Lonsdale, saying she had a 'nice pair of Bristols' or referring to her as 'T*tsalina.' Such were the antics on set Le Drew said: 'Our exasperated directors could often be heard shouting, "make them stop!" from the control room.'The cast would also regularly alter the positions of the zoo and farm animals so they were in sexual positions. There was also a strong culture of heavy drinking within the group who would often 'get lashed' and turn up drunk to rehearsals, said Le Drew. There were also tensions in the cast, as the host Geoffrey Hayes could at times be jealous of his puppet co-stars.'Geoffrey was afraid of being upstaged by Zippy and George', remarked Le Drew.The presenter was also annoyed the trio of puppets received more fan mail than he did. Rainbow was cancelled in 1992, and Le Drew delves into other aspects of his personal life in the memoir, including the death of his father when he was just 16.