Like 'em or loathe 'em, The Teletubbies represented one of the most popular TV shows of the 90s. The successful kids' TV show featured Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po who spoke in gibberish language.
The aliens also had television screens on their stomach and unusual antenna coming out of their heads. The characters, who lived in Tubbyland with their vacuum cleaner Noo-Noo live on Tubby Custard and Tubby Toast while being watched over by the sun baby, Mirror Online reports.
It premiered 25 years ago, first hitting our screens in March 1997. The show was incredibly successful during its first four years, going on to be translated into 45 different languages and winning numerous awards that included two BAFTAs. It is also estimated that 42 Teletubbies toys are sold every minute.
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The show, was essential viewing for more than 1 billion children worldwide who, thankfully, will have been unaware of some the scandals that have plagued the show since it began.
Tinky Winky
The purple alien, Tinky Winky, was not just the oldest character on the show but also the most controversial. Some viewers were unhappy and claimed that the character was gay because he carried a red handbag. US evangelist parents warned that the cute character was 'the gay pride colour' while his triangle antenna was a 'gay pride symbol.'
The original actor, Dave Thompson left the show after just a few episodes following 'creative differences' and it was later reported that the show 'implied' the character was gay. Dave said he was 'proud' of his time as Tinky Winky before going on to have a success comedy career.
He was later replaced by Simon Shelton who was a talented ballet dancer and choreographer. Despite the controversy, Shelton said he received fan mail from adult and child fans who felt the speculation around the character's sexual orientation was 'really quite silly'.
He starred in the popular TV show until its first run ended in 2001. Sadly, Simon Shelton was found "frozen to death" in a Liverpool street after lapsing into alcoholism aged just 52 in January 2018.
Dipsy
Dipsy was the bright green Teletubby who was a fan favourite among younger viewers. The character was played by comedian John Simmit who was influenced by a reggae track.
The bright green Teletubby was a firm favourite with young viewers. Simmit said his performance was influenced by reggae track, The Whip, which inspired his saying, ‘Papa Come Papa Come To Po.’
He said: “I’d slip in Jamaican dance moves, a Bogle there and a Tatty here. People spotted my little wink to my culture and I’m proud of that.” The actor also shared that wearing the heavy costumes for hours was pleasant and he would have to wear special underwear to absorb all the sweat.
He joked that: “When we were out of costume, you’d have to turn your face the other way and speak to us at a distance because we were reeking and so sweaty you could wring us out. Huge props to our dressers for putting up with us!”
Laa-Laa
Laa-Laa was the lovable yellow alien and the second youngest of the aliens. She was played by a trained dancer, Nikky Smedley. She won the role after answering a newspaper advert looking for actors for a new TV show for children.
She was one of the original actors to stay in the role for the first four-year run of the show. She confirmed that the hot and heavy suits were a nightmare to wear and they would often be in them for 11 hours a day. After leaving the show, she began working for Ragdoll production and choreographed other hit children's TV shows including the In The Night Garden.
Po
The red alien Po was the baby of the Teletubbies family and was best known for her circular shaped antenna, love of bubbles and her scooter. Po was played by actress Pui Fan Lee who won the role after leaving drama school.
She was character featured in the iconic picture taken during a break on set where she lay down on the fake grass while dressed in her distinctive red costume. Pui was a successful actress outside of the show but she hit headlines after starring in Channel 4 show, Metrosexuality, where she played a lesbian.
“Yes, I was Po, but I am an actress, and the role looked interesting. I didn't take the lesbian role to be deliberately controversial,” she said. Pui eventually returned to kids' TV as one of the presenters on the popular CBeebies series Sow Me, Show Me, alongside co-star Chris Jarvis. She also played a small role in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason in 2004 along and 28 Weeks Later where she played a zombie called Helen.
Sun
The original Sun Baby was played by Jess Smith who was hired by producers after they spotted her being weighed in hospital. The adorable baby would appear at the start of each episode to wake up the Teletubbies and also appear at bed time.
Jess played Sun Baby in the original run of the show from 1997 until 2001 but was replaced by a new baby called Berry in the 2015 revival. She said that to make her laugh and squeal, her dad was in front of her playing with toys, while she was being filmed.
