Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
The man who made childhood memories for millions
Kids’ TV legend Brian Cant dies at 83
CHILDREN’S telly legend Brian Cant has died at 83, his family announced with “great sadness” yesterday.
Cant, who lit up millions of young lives hosting Play School and narrating Trumpton, had bravely battled ill-health for years. He fronted Play School for 21 of its run of 24 years. But the printer turned actor joked he only got into the show by acting like an “idiot” – pretending a box was a boat. He had been working for BBC Schools Drama in the 1960s when he heard about a new preschool children’s programme. Recalling his audition for it in front of show boss Joy Whitby, he said: “She kicked a box out and said ‘Get in the box, and row out to sea’. I chuntered about in it for a while and then went back into shore. “She realised she’d got an idiot on her hands who would do almost anything they asked.” Cant, who also fronted Play School’s spin-off for older kids Play Away, shared the limelight with Julie Stevens and other presenters – and a host of toys including Humpty and Big Ted. In Trumpton, his best line was the fire brigade callout: “Pugh, Pugh, Barney Mcgrew, Cuthbert, Dibble, Grub.” He also made two appearances in Doctor Who and was honoured with a special Children’s Bafta award in 2010. Away from work, Cant had been courageously battling Parkinson’s disease since 1999. Describing the time he first discovered he had it, he once said: “I phoned up a friend and said, ‘I’ve got Parkinson’s.’ And he said, ‘What night are you on?’ He thought I’d got the show.” Last night Blackadder star Sir Tony Robinson, who performed on Play Away with Cant, led tributes to him, saying: “Brian Cant was my mentor and friend. Always patient, courteous and funny.” Derek Griffiths, who appeared with him in Play School, said he would be “missed by many”. And children’s presenter turned DJ Toby Anstis added: “He was such a big part of so many people’s childhoods.” Ipswich-born Cant was married twice and had five children. Three were by his second marriage to Cherry Britton, sister of TV host Fern and actor Jasper. He passed away at Denville Hall, a retirement home in North West London for actors and other theatre professionals.