angelophile | And farewell to another icon of my childhood

Any many other people's. Tony Hart has died at the age of 83.

Tony Hart, pretty much officially the nicest person on television and possibly the world. Softly spoken, unique, a true TV pioneer. He worked in television from 1952 right up to 2001, when ill health forced his retirement. A commercial artist, a chance meeting with a BBC TV producer and a demonstration of his quick art skills on a paper napkin secured his on-screen career.

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.

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.

In an interview last year he said not being able to draw after suffering two strokes was the "greatest cross I have to bear."

I've always drawn but it was Tony Hart who made me realise I could do it for more than just pleasure, who made me want to pursue a career in graphics and the art field. He's one of those TV icons where you can genuinely say they changed your life.

Goodbye Tony. And thank you.