Rainbow’s Zippy is backing calls to liberate Orville and Emu – and put them in a museum.
We told yesterday how the bird puppets are at the centre of a legal battle, after the widows of telly legends Keith Harris and Rod Hull stopped them being auctioned off by claiming ownership.
Seven months on, both are “determined to have the birds returned to their rightful owners” – but the puppets are “trapped in captivity”.
Now the man behind Zippy has joined calls for them to be set free.
Ronnie Lew Drew, 72, who played Zippy since 1973, told the Mirror: “A museum is the best place for them rather than an independent buyer. It gives people the chance to see them.
“They are so iconic. I have a Zippy puppet but another is on display in The National Science and Media Museum. Orville and Emu deserve the same.”
Rainbow’s puppet stars – Zippy, Bungle and George – were kept in check by late host Geoffrey Hayes.
Sydney-based Cher Hylton-Hull said: “Emu should be in the V&A or a theatrical museum – not in a private collector’s hands.”
Sarah Harris agreed: “Orville should be going to a museum.”
The women say a merchandiser put the puppets up for auction last December after claiming he was “gifted” them by Rod and Keith, who died in 1999 and 2015 respectively.
Rod Hull and Keith Harris featured the birds throughout their stage careers, including their signature Saturday night UK TV shows.
What do you think should happen to Orville and Emu? Let us know in the comments below.
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