Dave Thompson

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This article is about the English comedian. For other people of this name, see David Thompson.

Dave Thompson is an English stand-up comedian and actor from Brighton, who hit the headlines in July 1997 after being sacked from the role of Tinky-Winky in hit children's television series, the Teletubbies. The BBC said in a letter to Thompson that his "interpretation of the role was not acceptable". This refers to the events in which Thompson claimed that the character he played, "Tinky Winky", was a homosexual.[1][2]

Thompson recounted bursting into tears upon learning the news of his termination. In interviews, he supposed that the fact his voice was dubbed, unlike the other actors, was an indication of dissatisfaction over his performance.[3] Bestselling British tabloid The Sun started a reinstatement campaign on his behalf. The resulting fervor over his dismissal quadrupled viewership from 500,000 to 2 million.[citation needed]

He later appeared as Dave the Comedian/Mrs. Furblob in Ben Elton's 2000 movie Maybe, Baby[4].

[edit] Books

  • Sit-Down Comedy (contributor to anthology, ed Malcolm Hardee & John Fleming) Ebury Press/Random House, 2003. ISBN-10: 0091889243; ISBN-13: 978-0091889241

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Thorpe, Vanessa, "Tantrums in Teletubbyland as Tinky Winky gets the elbow", The Independent (London), p. 3 (July 27, 1997)}
  2. ^ "interview with a teletubby", earthlydelights.co.uk
  3. ^ Kitterick, Bernadette, "I burst into tears, says axed Teletubby". Bristol Evening Post, p. 5 (July 30, 1997)}
  4. ^ IMDB credits.
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