Ronnie Le Drew, the Canadian-born performer who voiced and operated the character Zippy on the British children's program Rainbow, has died at 78. his passing follows a short illness, as reported by the British Puppet Guild and his son, John.
From 1974 to the 1994 reboot:Zippy's long-term evolution
Le Drew's tenure with Rainbow was defined by remarkable longevity and adaptability. He stepped into the role of Zippy's puppteeer in 1974, taking over from Violet Philpott after a back injury forced her departure. Over the following decades, Le Drew became synonymous with the character, not just through physical operation but also by providing the voice, particularly during the show's 1994 reboot.
As the report notes, Rainbow was a massive undertaking, spanning 27 series and more than 1,000 episodes, providing a distinctly British alternative to the American Sesame Street. The program featured a beloved cast of characters,including Bungle the teddy bear and George the hippopotamus, who explored the world with childlike curiosity.
The "less innocent" reality revealed in 'Zippy and Me'
While the show presented a cheerful, educational face to children, Le Drew's memoir, Zippy and Me, pulled back the curtain on a much rowdier production environment. according to the report, the set was often characterized by heavy drinking and a boisterous atmosphere where cast members would occasionally get "lashed." This culture extended even to the puppets themselves; Le Drew recounted a notorious incident where an archbishop touring the Thames Television studios found the crew laughing while Zippy was placed in a "compromisiing position" with George the hippopotamus.
Le Drew also detailed the eccentricities of his colleagues, such as the "risqué" reputation of singer Jane Tucker. He even noted the palpable fear felt by professional comedians like Jim Davidson and Bobby Davro, who were reportedly paralyzed by the prospect of performing alongside the puppets. This behind-the-scenes chaos stands in stark contrast to the innocent curiosity displayed by characters like Bungle on screen.
A 1979 audience with the Queen and a cultural institution
Despite the internal turbulence, Rainbow ahcieved a level of prestige rare for children's programming. The show's cultural impact was such that it earned an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during a children's party in 1979. This milestone underscored the program's status as a cornerstone of British media, a legacy shared by other key figures like presenter Geoffrey Hayes, who passed away in 2018, and voice actor Roy Skelton.
The show's ability to maintain a massive viewership across different eras of television is a testament to the skill of its performers. Even as other cast members like Freddy Marks passed away, the foundation laid by the original team—including presenters David Cook and Hayes—ensured that Rainbow remained a household name for generations of viewers.
The missing voices from the Thames Television era
While Le Drew was remarkably candid about the studio's antics, several questions regarding the production's culture remain unanswered. The report details the "boisterous atmosphere" and the "suggestive positions" of the puppets, but it does not include responses from Thames Television management or the broader production crew.. It is unclear whether these behaviors were viewed as a systemic issue by the studio or merely as the eccentricities of a specific creative team.
Furthermore, while the report mentions the "devastated" reaction of Le Drew's family, the perspectives of his fellow puppeteers regarding his specific management of Zippy's character over the decades are not explored.. The full extent of the tension between the show's wholesome output and its unruly production culture remains a matter of memoir rather than official record.
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