Veteran Play School star dead at 76 following battle with illness

Veteran Play School star dead at 76 following battle with illness

As an ardent admirer of Tim Brooke-Hunt’s illustrious career and indelible impact on Australian children’s entertainment, it is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to this remarkable visionary. Born and bred across the pond, he bravely ventured Down Under in the ’70s, swapping number crunching for the silver screen. His transformation from an accountant to a trailblazer in children’s television is nothing short of extraordinary!


On Monday, Tim Brooke-Hunt, the cherished producer of the “Beloved” series and a former head of children’s television at ABC, passed away at the age of 76, after a prolonged illness.

A report in The Sydney Morning Herald announced that the longtime entertainer passed away peacefully at his residence, with loved ones by his side.

Born in England, Tim had a background as an accountant prior to relocating to Australia during the 1970s. Subsequently, he embarked on a career in television there.

As a seasoned pro in the realm of family entertainment spanning more than four vibrant decades, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to timeless children’s programs like Play School and Blinky Bill, leaving an indelible mark on young viewers worldwide.

In 2007, he started working at ABC, taking on the role of Executive Head for Children’s Content. Three years after that, he was promoted to the position of Controller of Children’s Content within the network.

In a deeply sad announcement, the ABC expressed their sympathies: ‘We mourn with Tim’s loved ones, friends, and coworkers.’

Additionally, Michael Carrington, my previous coworker, mentioned: “Tim was not just an exceptionally intelligent professional associate; he was much more…

‘He was a friend, and we shared an incredible journey through children’s TV together.

Veteran Play School star dead at 76 following battle with illness

‘Shows like Blinky Bill and Old Tom thrived under his guidance.’

In 1983, Tim kicked off his journey in the media industry by working at Yoram Gross Film Studios. He established his own production company in 2002.

In 2013, he parted ways with ABC, and subsequently, he was chosen to serve as the board president for Flying Bark Productions – a renowned Australian animation studio that produced Blinky Bill: The Movie in 2015.

Over the course of an illustrious career, Tim played a significant role in developing numerous popular Australian TV series geared towards young audiences, such as Dance Academy, Blue Water High, and Yakkity Yak.

A memorial service will be held in Tweed Valley, NSW on Friday. 

Veteran Play School star dead at 76 following battle with illness

Read More

2024-09-25 04:53

Previous post Killer cakes: Watch the bloody trailer for Matthew Lillard-hosted Halloween bake-off