The man who gave Postman Pat his famous voice has died aged 83.
Ken Barrie was the voice artist behind the popular kids TV postman that generations of British children grew up with.
He was the genius behind many other characters’ voices in the iconic children’s programme set in the fictional village of Greendale.
One of Barrie’s family members confirmed to the BBC that he had sadly lost a short battle with cancer.
Not only did he provide many of the beloved voices in the animated show, but he also sang the famous theme tune which was released as a single and spent 15 weeks in the top 75.
Barrie, who was born in Stoke-on-Trent, narrated the first four seasons of the classic BBC kids programme before Lewis MacLeod took over as the voice of Postman Pat.
You’ll probably remember characters including Ted Glen, Granny Dryden, Reverend Peter Timms and farmer Alf Thompson in the animated show – they were all brought to life by the actor.
He was also a singer and appeared on albums with Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby as well as doing backing vocals on Top of the Pops.
His voiceover work included adverts for Martini and Smash, but his most famous role was Pat which he got in 1981.
BBC Children’s director Alice Webb said Barrie “brought a magical warmth to the role of Postman Pat” and added that thousands of children had “grown up listening to his wonderful voice”.
And here is that timeless voice in action in a classic episode…
Childhood fans of the show left tributes on Twitter to the voice of Britain’s most famous postman…
RIP Postman Pat. pic.twitter.com/BbFNyeqUUl
— John Clark (@JohnClarkSNP) July 29, 2016
Another legend has gone. The man who was the voice of #PostmanPat has died. #childhoodmemories ✉️📮
— Ali C (@DaisyPink223) July 29, 2016
RIP #KenBarrie, the voice of #PostmanPat. His daughter said he was "most proud of the fact he looked after his family well". I love that.
— John Delaney (@john_p_d) July 29, 2016
RIP Ken Barrie (Leslie Hulme). #KenBarrie #PostmanPat pic.twitter.com/5g0QTzUFqe
— Charles Foster (@fostercharles) July 29, 2016
Rip to the voice behind postman pat Ken Barry 😳😔
— Connor⚽️ (@connor_mills28) July 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/MaxxAsari/status/759144291847593984
can we have a day of postman pat shows dedicated to Ken Barrie shown on the bbc please
— Head ball boy (@Richardnash12) July 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/Jake_Sutt/status/759142030715027457
Just heard the upsetting #news that #PostmanPat has just passed away #rip
— Anish Modgil (@AnishModgil) July 29, 2016
