Brother-in-law of Poldark actor Robert Daws and uncle of Inbetweeners actor Emily Atack, Barnes found fame after replacing original Tinky Winky actor Dave Thompson on the BBC show.
Simon Shelton Barnes – best known for playing Tinky Winky in the children’s TV show TeleTubbies – has died.
“I always used to be embarrassed as a child that he was a dancer and an actor but now I couldn’t be more proud!
The father-of-three from Ampthill, Bedfordshire, died just four days after his 52nd birthday.