[Benjamin]

Zippy voice actor Roy Skelton dies aged 79


Actor and singer Roy Skelton, best known for voicing puppets George and Zippy in the popular children's programme Rainbow, has died aged 79.

His daughter Samantha Skelton told the BBC that her father passed away after suffering a stroke.

The actor joined Rainbow in the early 1970s and remained with the show until it ended in 1992.

Geoffrey Hayes, who also starred in the show, said: "He really brought Zippy and George to life through his voice."

Skelton was "fabulous at improvising if something went wrong," he added.

"The most wonderful thing was if Zippy and George were having an argument between themselves, it sounded like he'd double-tracked it as they seemed to be talking over each other. It was a wonderful technique and I don't know how he did it.

"Although he was known for Zippy and George he was actually a fabulous actor with a great singing voice and a wonderful raconteur - he used to tell us some wonderful stories."

Skelton also voiced the Daleks in Doctor Who from 1967 to 1988, as well as the Cybermen and the Krotons.

In 2002, he guest-starred in the audio drama Sarah Jane Smith: Test Of Nerve.

He reprised the role of Zippy in 2008 for the BBC One series Ashes to Ashes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13693811

[Niall]

*Doesn't know what that show is*

[Josy]

Awww RIP

Rainbow used to be one of my favourite shows.

[Niall]

R.I.P though.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Niall

*Doesn't know what that show is*

I loved Zippy.

Youtube video

[Niamh.]

RIP (thought this thread was going to be about the member Zippy!)

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

RIP (thought this thread was going to be about the member Zippy!)

me too!!!

[Lee.]

My oh just phoned to tell me this tragic news! I've always adored zippy!

[Chuck]

I though this thread was about Zippy the member, I was like

[arista]

Originally Posted by chuck.pass

I though this thread was about Zippy the member, I was like

Thats the place he took the name from.

[Niall]

Originally Posted by ukturtle

I loved Zippy.

Youtube video

Hmm.

Teletubbies >>>

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Niall

Hmm.

Teletubbies >>>

You can't compare Teletubbies to Rainbow Niall

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Josy

You can't compare Teletubbies to Rainbow Niall

He's too young to get it

[Niall]

You lot are too old to get Teletubbies.

Nunu

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Niall

You lot are too old to get Teletubbies.

Nunu

lol, I watched plenty of that s**t when my daughter was a baby, rubbish.

[Smithy]

I am bot saddened and disappointed

[michael21]

Originally Posted by happyland

My oh just phoned to tell me this tragic news! I've always adored zippy!

It took me 10mins to work out what oh was

[Niall]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

lol, I watched plenty of that s**t when my daughter was a baby, rubbish.

Spoiler:

[Lee.]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

lol, I watched plenty of that s**t when my daughter was a baby, rubbish.

Christ! Me too! Barney was my most hated!

[CharlieO]

I hate baby/toddler tv nowadays so mind numbing compared to the lovely stuff I watched.
My mum made us watch cleverish things like dynamo

[InOne]

Used to love this. RIP

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by happyland

Christ! Me too! Barney was my most hated!

oh yeah, hated him too :/

[Niall]

*Loved Barney when he was little*

Actually Rugrats was my fave.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Niall

*Loved Barney when he was little*

Actually Rugrats was my fave.

I loved The Smurfs and The Gummi Bears

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

rugrats