Ronnie Le Drew, the TV presenter and puppeteer behind classic Rainbow character Zippy, has died, aged 78.
Candian-British star Le Drew was one of the squawking voices that brought the divisive Zippy to life in the beloved ITV series, alongside Roy Skelton, who died in 2011. Rainbow was the UK’s answer to the American educational series Sesame Street.
The British Puppet Guild announced the death of Le Drew – the organisation’s president – on Monday (27 July), writing: “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.
The statement continued: “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.
It added that, while he was known for Zippy, “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,” they said.
Le Drew’s TV career began in 1964, when he appeared on A Touch of Don Juan, and his Rainbow tenure commenced in 1973, lasting for 20 years.
He also appeared on an array of other children’s series, including Playdays, Utterly Brilliant with Timmy Mallett, and The Sooty Show, mainly playing Sooty’s sidekick, Sweep.
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Le Drew had puppeteering roles in fantasy musical films Labyrinth, starring David Bowie, and The Little Shop of Horrors, both released in 1986, as well as The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992). He noted he was particularly proud of his work in Little Shop as his puppeteering work – a plant dialling a phone – received a close-up in the finished edit.
Le Drew taught at London’s Little Angel theatre, which specialises in productions for children and their families, for 30 years. His association with the theatre, founded by John and Lyndie Wright, led to him appearing in their director son Joe’s film Pan in 2015.
More recently, he played several background characters in 2019 Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
Speaking about the enduring appeal of Zippy, Le Drew told The Guardian in 2015: “We got so much more money than a puppeteer could ever have dreamed of.”
He also credited shows like War Horse and Avenue Q with “helping people understand” that puppetry “is sophisticated, and perhaps not only for children”.
Le Drew released an autobiography, titled Zippy and Me: My Life Inside Britain’s Most Infamous Puppet, in 2019, and would often tour live shows where he spoke about his career and brought some of his most memorable puppets to life.
