Fans have been paying tribute to Rainbow presenter Geoffrey Hayes after his death was announced on Monday, aged 76.
From 1974 to 1992, Hayes was at the forefront of over 1,000 episodes of the children’s TV show, featuring loveable characters Bungle, Zippy and George among its puppet cast.
The successful show, produced by Thames Television, quickly found a place in the hearts of children all over the country thanks to its array of activities the characters would help Hayes out with in the Rainbow House and now fans have rushed to social media to recall the "special" show.
Many have quoted the opening theme tune to the programme, saying that the late star is “up above the streets and houses now”.
Originally conceived as a long-running equivalent to Sesame Street, an American programme, the show was designed to help young viewers with their literacy and numeracy skills.
But the programme soon became much more for many as Hayes read story after story and sang song after song during its slot.
The show won a Society of Film and Television Arts Award for Best Children’s Television in 1975, just a couple of years after its inception.
Geoffrey Hayes in pictures
Lovable – but often irritating – Zippy was fitted with a zip to shut his mouth when he became too much.
By contract, cuddly George – a giant, pink hippopotamus – was known for being shy and reserved.
Brown bear Bungle often complained about his fellow housemates in the house, all watched over by beloved father figure Hayes.
In 2002, Hayes, who struggled to find work after Rainbow was cancelled, said the secret to the programme's enduring popularity was that it was full of "magic, innocence and imagination".
He said: "Practically all the time people come up to me and it really breaks me up because they thank me for being part of their childhood. It makes me want to cry sometimes."
