Tony Hart (1926-2009)

'art attack (bad taste joke but he lived a good long life and surely we (brits) all loved this guy). from Gurkhas Rifles to kids TV artist dude, what a journey.

I probably admired this dude even more than Johnny Ball. RIP

No way!

<checks it's true>

Wow. R.I.P.

hope he wasn't racist

just heard a heartbreaking radio int w/ an audibly upset wilf lunn

RIP

1:50 for classic improv art magic:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7836112.stm

RIP

Man, that's a great big part of a lot of people's childhoods gone right there (the bit that Oliver Postgate's passing didn't take already)

solid gold childhood hero, and kindled artistic ambitions (or at least interest) in a generation of children. RIP.

I didn't realise he designed the Blue Peter Logo.

Continuity from 27 Aug 85

Blimmin eck. I just did cry.

Tony Hart was one of the gentlest presences I can think of on TV. Perhaps only Johnny Morris trumped him in that regard. That quality is one for which broadcasting used to have a lot of room.

(I wish Youtube would work for me, not just stutter in silence; does anyone know anything I can do about that?)

Never managed to get a picture in the gallery, but I did try.

RIP, you were required viewing in my house. When clearing out to move I found a picture I did as a kid which was certainly inspired by one of his techniques.

He was on Vision On for years and years, and never spoke.

RIP. That YouTube clip that Alba posted is almost unbearably poignant, everything about it.

The Kraftwerk-homage theme tune to Hartbeat is one of the best TV themes ever, incidentally.

Tony Hart was one of the gentlest presences I can think of on TV. Perhaps only Johnny Morris trumped him in that regard. That quality is one for which broadcasting used to have a lot of room.

That is so true. Childrens TV needs Dick and Dom style anarchy and general silliness to lighten the day but the absence of figures like Postgate and Hart who engaged through their charm, enthusiasm and eccentricity is a sad loss.

that Hartbeat title sequence is great. i notice Hart standing by the White Pyramids of Crystal Palace at one point.

Shame, he was great!

I was devoted to Vision On.
Dude still had a twinkle in his eye.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45387000/jpg/_45387262_hart2008_getty_300.jpg
RIP

Oh, this is just fantastic...

One of the best human's ever!

Really saddening, I loved Morph, that's in part what inspired me to make so many stop-motion films as a kid. RIP.

I was too young to really know Postgate, but Hart dying makes me incredibly sad. RIP.

http://www2.b3ta.com/host/creative/65864/1232288785/mourningmorph.jpg

(from b3ta, where i guess he has a lot of fans)

woah

OK now i'm imagining their voices in that scene nooooooooo

Aw, that's heartbreaking. Seriously, I might cry now.

worst day ever!

Aw man. So much of my childhood was spent wanting my art to be in the gallery! Never sent anything in though, I don't think.

I was always amazed by how many pieces would start as sort of formless squiggles or blocks of colour and somehow build into something magical. He once did a talk about drawing and some sketches etc at the village fete when I was a nipper, and I was pretty much knocked speechless by watching it happen in real life.

(PS Matt DC OTM about Hart Beat theme tune)

He was an inspiration to me as a kid; I remember I used to sit in front of the TV at a little table with paper and card and pens and glue etc. and follow on from what he was doing on the show, copying, or being inspired to try other artsy things. Aw shucks...

I thought this was rather lovely