Teletubbies actor Simon Shelton died on January 17, just four days after his 52nd birthday, his son Henry has told the BBC.
Shelton, also known as Simon Barnes, was a ballet dancer and choreographer before being cast to play purple, handbag-carrying Teletubby Tinky Winky from 1998 to 2001.
Shelton told the BBC in 2008 that he had little inkling Teletubbies would be a success when he was cast to replace original actor Dave Thompson, who was fired in 1997 after the first season.
"I didn't know it would be as big as it was, but I did know as soon as I started working on it that it had something special," he said.
Shelton's identity as the man inside the purple suit was not revealed until 2008, during a mini world tour for the show's tenth anniversary, when he described the reaction as "like being The Beatles".
Actress Emily Atack said her "wonderful uncle" was "the kindest and most talented man you could ever wish to meet".
Dipsy actor John Simmit tweeted: "What a week! … Remembering the good times. Rest easy."
The show's official Twitter account tweeted: "Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Big hugs."
Shelton was married to actress Emma Robbins and had three children.
