Simon Shelton Barnes, actor behind 'Teletubbies' character Tinky Winky, has died at 52

It's a sad day in children's television: Simon Shelton Barnes, the actor who brought to life Tinky Winky in "Teletubbies," passed away, it was revealed Tuesday. He died on January 17.

"RIP Simon Shelton aka Tinky Winky: Remembering the many good times," tweeted former co-star John Simmit, who played Dipsy. "Rest easy."

Barnes, a father of three, was a trained ballet dancer and choreographer who was cast as the purple character in the late 1990s. Tinky Winky was set apart from the other Teletubbies by often carrying a handbag.

Tinky Winky was originally played by Dave Thompson, but Thompson was replaced because his "interpretation of the role was not acceptable," according to Thompson.

The BBC show enjoyed success both overseas and in the United States, where it aired on Nick Jr. Although it only filmed from 1997 to 2001, reruns still regularly air more than fifteen years later.