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TV presenter Tony Hart dies at 83 TV presenter Tony Hart dies at 83
(10 minutes later)
Artist and children's presenter Tony Hart has died, aged 83.Artist and children's presenter Tony Hart has died, aged 83.
Hart, who lived in Surrey, had suffered from health problems for a number of years, including two strokes. His family said he died peacefully.Hart, who lived in Surrey, had suffered from health problems for a number of years, including two strokes. His family said he died peacefully.
Mr Hart appeared on art programmes for nearly 50 years before retiring in 2001 because of health problems.Mr Hart appeared on art programmes for nearly 50 years before retiring in 2001 because of health problems.
He first appeared on Saturday Special as an illustrator before fronting his own shows such as Vision On, Take Hart and Hartbeat.He first appeared on Saturday Special as an illustrator before fronting his own shows such as Vision On, Take Hart and Hartbeat.
His agent, Roc Renals, said he died in the early hours of Sunday morning. He was the guy who had all these little tricks that teachers used to use Wilf Lunn, friend and former colleague His agent, Roc Renals, said he died in the early hours of Sunday morning. He was the guy who had all these little tricks that teachers used to use Wilf Lunn, friend and former colleague class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5925&edition=1">Your memories of Tony Hart
He said: "I was for many years his best friend, agent, manager and publicist. He suffered two strokes many years ago and his health declined since then."He said: "I was for many years his best friend, agent, manager and publicist. He suffered two strokes many years ago and his health declined since then."
Wilf Lunn, Hart's friend who worked with him on Vision On for nine years, said he was a television pioneer.Wilf Lunn, Hart's friend who worked with him on Vision On for nine years, said he was a television pioneer.
"His legacy was the fact he really started all these children's programmes, Art Attack and all that, and he was the guy, right at the beginning."His legacy was the fact he really started all these children's programmes, Art Attack and all that, and he was the guy, right at the beginning.
"And he was the guy who had all these little tricks that teachers used to use because they make things look easy, and we got people into doing it. And he was such a nice man.""And he was the guy who had all these little tricks that teachers used to use because they make things look easy, and we got people into doing it. And he was such a nice man."
MorphMorph
The artist served as an officer in the 1st Gurkha Rifles in World War II, before joining a course at Maidstone College of Art.The artist served as an officer in the 1st Gurkha Rifles in World War II, before joining a course at Maidstone College of Art.
It was a chance meeting in 1952 with a BBC TV producer and a demonstration of his quick art skills on a paper napkin that secured his on-screen career.It was a chance meeting in 1952 with a BBC TV producer and a demonstration of his quick art skills on a paper napkin that secured his on-screen career.
Hart became resident artist on the Saturday Special programme that year.Hart became resident artist on the Saturday Special programme that year.
Subsequent TV shows included Playbox, Titch and Quackers, Vision On, Take Hart, Hartbeat and Smart Hart.Subsequent TV shows included Playbox, Titch and Quackers, Vision On, Take Hart, Hartbeat and Smart Hart.
From 1977 he appeared with animated clay character Morph, who lived in a pencil box. From 1977 he appeared with animated clay character Morph, who lived in a pencil box. Morph was later joined by his cream-coloured colleague Chas.
Hartbeat often attracted 5.4 million viewers and Hart's mailbag varied between 6,000 and 8,000 per week.Hartbeat often attracted 5.4 million viewers and Hart's mailbag varied between 6,000 and 8,000 per week.
He received two Bafta awards, won a lifetime achievement award in 1998, and also created the original design for the Blue Peter badge.He received two Bafta awards, won a lifetime achievement award in 1998, and also created the original design for the Blue Peter badge.
In an interview last year he said not being able to draw after suffering two strokes was the "greatest cross I have to bear."In an interview last year he said not being able to draw after suffering two strokes was the "greatest cross I have to bear."
What are your memories of Tony Hart? Did you ever send him pictures of your artwork? Do you still have them? Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditionsWhat are your memories of Tony Hart? Did you ever send him pictures of your artwork? Do you still have them? Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
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