Dead aged 85, the writer who delivered joy to a generation with Postman Pat
THE creator of Postman Pat has died aged 85.
John Cunliffe, who was also behind children’s characters Rosie and Jim, died last Thursday surrounded by family, his agent confirmed yesterday.
A death notice printed in a local paper in Ilkley, the West Yorkshire town where he lived for many years, said he ‘left his home in a deluge of rain on Thursday, September 20, never to return’.
It added: ‘ Even the skies wept for John, the gifted creator of Postman Pat, Rosie And Jim and author of many earlier published collections of poetry and picture story books for children.
‘John’s last poetry collection, significantly entitled Dare You Go, has now come to fruition – for John has dared to go and he has gone.’ The Ilkley Gazette reported a private funeral had taken place six days after his death.
Before writing for children fulltime, Mr Cunliffe worked as a teacher and librarian.
Mr Cunliffe’s characters have appeared on TV screens for four decades, and continue to entertain children.
Postman Pat – set in the fictional village of Greendale and inspired by the author’s childhood in the Lake District – first appeared on TV screens in 1981. The BBC series has aired in more than 55 countries. Mr Cunliffe was a familiar face on children’s TV himself, appearing as the driver of the narrowboat barge in Rosie and Jim.
The puppets were introduced to children in 1990, with Mr Cunliffe cast as the first owner of the boat. He wrote about 190 books for children, including picture books and volumes of poetry.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: ‘Royal Mail was saddened to hear of the death of John Cunliffe. He created a character loved by young and old alike, while highlighting the unique role that postmen and women, in their red vans, play in communities across the country.’
Alice Webb, director of BBC children’s programmes, said: ‘We are saddened to hear the news of John’s death. Postman Pat has been a hugely popular character on the BBC for nearly 40 years and was an absolute favourite from my own childhood. Postman Pat’s enduring popularity speaks to the genuine charm and warmth that John imbued in the characters that populate Greendale.
‘John created a real and relatable world that will continue to entertain our audience for a long time to come and I count myself lucky to be one of millions of children whose childhoods were enriched by John’s creations.’
Mr Cunliffe is survived by his wife, Sylvia, and son, Edward.