Simon Shelton Barnes, the British actor best known for his role as the Teletubby Tinky Winky, died of hypothermia and a high level of alcohol in his blood, tests revealed.
The 53-year-old actor, who played the handbag-carrying purple character from 1998 to 2001, was found dead in January on a side street near the waterfront in Liverpool — a haven for the homeless, The Sun reported.
Coroner Anita Bhardwaj told the outlet that Barnes had a “medical history of alcohol dependence.”
“On January 17 at 07.15 hours, Simon was found deceased at the Port of Liverpool Building in a well between the building and street,” Bhardwaj said in a statement. “Toxicological analysis found a high concentration of alcohol. The temperature on the day was three degrees [37 degrees Fahrenheit] and it is more likely than not the combination of the alcohol consumed and the temperature [that] caused his death.”
Close friend Jane Rees, whom Barnes once lived with, told The Sun that he had struggled with separation from his three children, who were “everything to him.”
“I think he had finished his time as a choreographer because of injury and age and he was looking for a new direction,” Rees said. “He came up to Liverpool to have a fresh start and think about a new career.”
“I think he wanted to get away from London and the temptations — not so much the temptations of drinking but more the socializing and partying and not getting any work done,” she added. “I think he wanted a break.”
Barnes, a trained ballet dancer and choreographer, took over the role of Tinky Winky after the original actor was fired. He remained on the show until the series ended.
The original “Teletubbies” was syndicated around the world in more than 120 countries in 45 languages, according to the BBC.
Barnes is survived by his children and his wife, Emma Robbins.