Children’s presenter Brian Cant has died at the age of 83. He was best known for presenting BBC’s “Play School” for 21 years from 1964, and “Play Away” from 1971 to 1984. His agent said he had been living with Parkinson’s disease and died at Denville Hall, a retirement home often used by those in the entertainment industry. A statement from the family said: “He lived courageously* with Parkinson’s disease for a long time.” Cant was also a guest presenter on “Jackanory” and appeared on ITV’s “Dappledown Farm,” which ran from 1990 to 2003. He got his big break when he auditioned* for “Play School,” when part of the audition required him to climb into a cardboard box. His voice was known to millions in shows such as “Trumpton,” his most famous line being the fire brigade call-out: “Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble, Grub.” Floella Benjamin, who also performed in “Play School,” said Cant was “comedy genius.” She told BBC News: “He was totally devoted to making children happy — he introduced children to comedy with zany* jokes and his funny sketches*.” Baroness Benjamin, who joined “Play School” in 1976, said she loved working with Cant. “We bounced off one another, we thought of new ideas of things to do,” she said. For millions his voice immediately evokes childhood. Born in Ipswich, he was trained as a printer before having a go at acting. The warm, friendly voice was perfect for another children’s venture — “Trumpton,” “Camberwick Green” — and the slightly more industrial “Chigley.” If it sounds as though it was recorded in a cupboard, it’s because it was. Along with “Play Away,” “Bric a Brac” and other programs he was part of children’s TV for more than 20 years. He wrote and appeared on stage, but more than anything he was — for many — a much loved part of childhood. (SD-Agencies) |