The Canadian‑born British puppeteer and actor was finest often called the person behind Zippy within the iconic ITV kids’s present Rainbow.
His demise was introduced by the British Puppet Guild this morning (Monday, JKuly 27).
The assertion stated: “We are saddened to announce the demise of our President and good friend Ronnie Le Drew, following a brief sickness.
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“Ronnie has been our president for 10 years, probably probably the most energetic and supportive president we now have ever had or may have.
“Attending almost each occasion, whether or not it’s on-line or in particular person, usually performing when requested and at all times keen to talk, inform tales and entertain in no matter manner he might.
“Ronnie was, after all, recognized for Zippy, however his legacy within the puppetry world stretches way over that, and there will likely be numerous puppeteers mourning the lack of our pricey good friend.
“He meant so much to so many, and the legacy of his life will live on.”
Mr Le Drew had attended Abbey Con, a comic book conference in Abingdon, and was because of return to this yr’s occasion in autumn.
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An announcement from Trooper Events UK, the workforce behind the conference, stated: “We are deeply saddened to announce the lack of an expensive good friend and supporter of our occasions, Ronnie Le Drew.
“Ronnie was one of many friendliest and kindest folks we had the pleasure of understanding.
“He at all times introduced heat and kindness with him, and he will likely be missed dearly.
“We ship our love and deepest condolences to all of Ronnie’s household and pals who’ve misplaced such a wonderful particular person.
“Ronnie was because of return to Abbey-Con this yr, however sadly his well being all of a sudden took a flip for the more serious. We will miss him dearly and keep in mind him at all times.
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“Rest in peace, Ronnie. You will never be forgotten.”
Other tributes embrace these from Paul Robertson on X, who wrote: “I used to be not anticipating to get up to any of this information right this moment.
“Ronnie Le Drew (finest often called ‘Zippy’ in Rainbow) has sadly handed away.
“Was very grateful to at all times have chats on-line with him about Rainbow, Sooty and puppets.
“Condolences go to his friends and family.”
Born in Toronto on 23 October 1947, he moved to Britain as a young person and skilled on the Little Angel Theatre in London, turning into John Wright’s second apprentice and studying each side of puppetry.
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His affiliation with the Little Angel Theatre spanned greater than 30 years, first as a performer and later as a director, and he went on to co‑discovered the London School of Puppetry along with his accomplice Caroline Astell‑Burt.
Le Drew started engaged on Rainbow in 1973, working Zippy and later offering the character’s unmistakable voice, and remained with the programme for round 20 years, together with spin‑offs reminiscent of Rainbow Days.
Away from Rainbow, he appeared on a string of traditional kids’s reveals, together with Playdays, Michael Bentine’s Potty Time, The Tommy Cooper Show, Mortimer and Arabel, Utterly (*78*) with Timmy Mallett and a number of variations of The Sooty Show, usually performing Sweep and different characters.
His movie credit took him into a number of the largest fantasy productions of the final half‑century, with puppetry work on Labyrinth, Little Shop of Horrors, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island, Beauty and the Beast and Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
Le Drew additionally contributed to adverts and stay occasions, from working the unique Bill and Ben in an Ideal Home Exhibition business to animating “Brains” from Thunderbirds in a memorable Drench water marketing campaign.
In 2019, he printed his memoir Zippy and Me: My Life Inside Britain’s Most Infamous Puppet, trying again on six a long time in puppetry and the best way characters like Zippy, Sweep and others formed generations of British childhoods.
