Tony Hart

I remember being shocked when I saw a photograph of Tony on Noel Edmonds' "It Started With Swap Shop" a couple of years back. I really couldn't recognise him. That prompted me to search for his website, and I was stunned to see how long the guestbook was, and how packed the site was. I was sad to read that his talents, through poor health, now eluded him and couldn't believe just how well he seemed to handle it psychologically. He seemed very philosophical about it.

Even though I felt he was close to the end from that point on, when I finally saw the headline on the web this morning it felt like a fist in the stomach. I do wish he could have passed away with more of his faculties intact than he did; I only hope now that in whatever way may be possible he gets to sense the enjoyment of being liberated from his strokes. I often wonder if creative genius in one's soul lives on somewhere.

Very sad. This says it all for me.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n211/cylon1_2006/tributecopy.jpg

Damn, what a shame. I have fond memories of him on Hart Beat. Classic days, never to be repeated.

very sad

something we'll see a lot of as we all get older, our iconnic TV presenters we grew up with going to meet their makers

There can't be many people in this country who grew up watching his programmes and weren't inspired to pick up a paintbrush or some felt tips and have a go at some art at some point, The word 'inspirational' is very over-used, but in his case entirely justified.

Also, according to a friend who was once lucky enough to go for lunch with him, he was as charming and lovely off screen as he was on it.

Bit of a coincidence that a children's TV episode of Outtake TV was broadcast on Watch today, that featured a clip of Tony Hart, I think it was from his SMart days.

Could have just been an oversight of the schedulers, I guess.

Almost certainly a coincidence that was either not spotted or they decided there was no reason not to show it.

I was inspired as a kid, my mother bought me those water-based palette paints and I used to even try and imitate him.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3209406099_f64fcb5fa8.jpg

Fitting tribute that Tony Hart is this weeks 'Employee of the Week' in the CBBC office, although a ridiculous subliminal feature, never mentioned on air, its good to see that CBBC have done something to pay respect to him.

I really used to enjoy watching Hart Beat when I was younger; top programme, and fronted by a talented artist - I thought Tony's presenting style was great too. I do hope his contribution to children's TV will be remembered for many years yet.

Another part of my childhood gone, and so soon after Oliver Postgate.

My brother got a picture onto The Gallery. To this day I still haven't given him the pleasure of admitting just how jealous I was...

Points West tonight did a feature as Tony and Bristol had a connections, as did Morph:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7838855.stm