Ken Barrie: voice of Postman Pat dies aged 73

The man who voiced popular children’s TV character Postman Pat has died.

Singer Ken Barrie, who provided the voice for the original children’s series in the 1980s, has died from cancer aged 73, a family friend told the BBC.

Born Leslie Hulme, he voiced the much-loved postman and many of the other characters in the BBC series.

Mr Barrie, from Stoke on Trent, also sang the show's theme tune which was later released as a single and, according to the BBC, spent 15 weeks in the top 75 hit parade.

He also provided the soundtrack for Charlie Chalk, as well as singing songs for the soundtracks for Sharks' Treasure and Emily under the name Les Carle.

Mr Barrie helped out with singing voices for many big actors in feature films and on television.

People he dubbed for included Larry Hagman, Horst Buchoiz and George C Scott.

He was married to Doreen Pye Hulme until her death in 2009.

The couple had two children, daughter Lorraine and son Paul.