Simon Shelton Explained

Simon Shelton
Birth Date:13 January 1966
Birth Name:Simon Barnes Shelton
Birth Place:Bethnal Green, London, England
Death Place:Liverpool, England
Occupation:Actor
Years Active:1988–2018
Notable Works:Playing Tinky Winky in Teletubbies (1997–2001)
Spouse:Emma Robbins
Children:3
Relatives:Emily Atack (niece)

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

Biography

Shelton was born in the Bethnal Green area of London on 13 January 1966.

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. 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.

Notes and References

  1. News: Alcohol and hypothermia killed Tinky Winky actor Simon Shelton, inquest rules . Sky News . 31 May 2023 . en . 19 January 2018.
  2. News: Teletubbies' Tinky Winky actor Simon Shelton dies aged 52. BBC News. 23 January 2018. 23 October 2022.