As of 2026, the original actors who brought the Teletubbies to life are primarily in their 50s and 60s. While the characters themselves are designed to represent toddlers aged 1 to 3, the performers inside the massive suits were adults, many of whom were trained dancers or comedians. For example, John Simmit (Dipsy) is 63, while Pui Fan Lee (Po) is 55.
The Teletubbies first arrived on television screens in 1997, becoming a global phenomenon that transcended age groups and cultures. Despite the simple premise of four colorful creatures living in a grassy dome, the production was a massive technical undertaking. Understanding the ages and backgrounds of the cast involves looking at both the original 1997–2001 run and the later 2015 reboot, as well as the iconic "Sun Baby" who overlooked Teletubbyland.
The Original Cast: Actors, Birth Years, and 2026 Ages
The original quartet was selected for their physical stamina and ability to convey emotion through movement, as the costumes were notoriously heavy and difficult to maneuver.
Tinky Winky: Dave Thompson and Simon Shelton
The character of Tinky Winky, the largest and oldest of the Teletubbies, was played by two different actors during the original series run.
Dave Thompson was the original performer in the purple suit. Born on July 1, 1960, he is 66 years old in 2026. Thompson provided the physical performance for the first 70 episodes before a well-publicized departure from the show. Following his time as a Teletubby, Thompson returned to his roots in stand-up comedy and has appeared in various films and television specials.
Simon Shelton (also known as Simon Barnes) took over the role after Thompson's exit. Born on January 13, 1966, Shelton was a trained ballet dancer and choreographer. His background in dance was essential for managing the Tinky Winky suit, which stood nearly 10 feet tall and weighed more than 60 pounds. Tragically, Shelton passed away in January 2018 at the age of 52. Had he lived to 2026, he would have celebrated his 60th birthday. His portrayal remains the definitive version of the character for many fans.
Dipsy: John Simmit
Dipsy, the lime-green Teletubby known for his "cool" personality and black-and-white hat, was played by John Simmit. Born on July 20, 1963, Simmit is 63 years old in 2026.
Before joining the show, Simmit was an established stand-up comedian on the British circuit. He often jokes about how his identity as Dipsy was kept a secret for years, even as he performed in comedy clubs across the UK. His involvement with the show was significant as Dipsy was specifically designed with a darker face to reflect the diversity of the cast, and Simmit’s performance infused the character with a rhythmic, hip-hop-influenced movement style.
Laa-Laa: Nikky Smedley
The yellow Teletubby, Laa-Laa, was played by Nikky Smedley. Born on October 20, 1970, Smedley is 56 years old in 2026.
Smedley was a professional dancer and choreographer before being cast in the role, having responded to an ad for "creative people" to join a new children's show. Beyond her physical performance in the suit, Smedley played a pivotal role in the production's choreography for many years. After the show ended, she remained active in the industry, working on children’s programming and writing books about her experiences in the suit, including details about the grueling 11-hour filming days.
Po: Pui Fan Lee
Po, the red Teletubby and the smallest of the group, was played by Pui Fan Lee. Born on July 14, 1971, she is 55 years old in 2026.
Pui Fan Lee is perhaps the most visible of the original cast members today. Following Teletubbies, she became a staple of BBC’s CBeebies channel, presenting shows like Show Me Show Me. Because Po was designed to be the youngest of the group, Pui Fan Lee’s performance focused on a sense of wonder and occasional "toddler-like" stubbornness. She has often spoken about the technical challenges of filming Po’s scooter scenes, which required immense core strength while encased in heavy foam.
The Sun Baby: Jess Smith
The literal "star" of the show was the Sun Baby, whose giggle opened and closed every episode. For the original series, this role was played by Jess Smith.
Born in 1995, Jess Smith is 31 years old in 2026. She was cast as a nine-month-old infant when a health visitor at a local hospital was asked by a production company to look out for "smiley babies." For many years, her identity was a closely guarded secret, only revealed by Smith herself in 2014 when she was a university student. In early 2024, Jess Smith welcomed her first child, a development that made headlines globally as fans marveled at the "Sun Baby" having a baby of her own.
Character Ages and Developmental Stages
While the actors were adults, the Teletubbies themselves were modeled after specific stages of early childhood development. This was a deliberate choice by creators Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport to ensure the show resonated with its target demographic of children aged 0 to 3.
- Tinky Winky (Age 3-4): Represented as the oldest, he exhibits more complex play patterns and more advanced vocabulary than the others.
- Dipsy (Age 2-3): Represents a slightly more independent toddler, often displaying a "cool" or slightly defiant attitude common in the "terrible twos."
- Laa-Laa (Age 2-3): A highly social character focused on interpersonal play and verbal communication, reflecting the language-burst stage of toddlerhood.
- Po (Age 1-2): The youngest character, Po speaks more slowly and often uses one-word sentences or simple sounds, mirroring a child just beginning to master speech.
Technical Specifications: The Reality of the Costumes
To understand why adult actors were necessary for "toddler" characters, one must look at the technical specifications of the Teletubby suits. The scale of the set was designed to be deceptive; because the Teletubbies are massive, everything else in their world—from the "tubby custard" machine to the "Noo-Noo" vacuum—was built on a giant scale to make the characters look small.
| Character | Suit Height (Approx) | Weight | Actor (Original) | 2026 Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tinky Winky | 10 ft (3.05 m) | 60+ lbs | Simon Shelton | 60 (Deceased) |
| Dipsy | 8 ft (2.44 m) | 55 lbs | John Simmit | 63 |
| Laa-Laa | 8 ft (2.44 m) | 55 lbs | Nikky Smedley | 56 |
| Po | 6.5 ft (1.98 m) | 50 lbs | Pui Fan Lee | 55 |
| Sun Baby | N/A | N/A | Jess Smith | 31 |
The suits were made of a thick, heavy foam and faux fur. Inside, actors had to navigate using a small internal monitor that showed them what the cameras were seeing, as the eye-holes of the characters did not always align with the actors' actual eyes. Furthermore, the heat inside the suits was intense, requiring the actors to take frequent breaks and use oxygen tanks between takes.
The 2015 Reboot: A New Generation
When the series was rebooted in 2015, a new cast took over the roles. While the characters remained "toddlers," the new actors brought modern performance techniques to the roles.
- Jeremiah Krage (Tinky Winky): An actor specializing in creature performance, Krage took over the purple suit for the modern era.
- Nick Kellington (Dipsy): Kellington is a well-known suit performer who also played Igglepiggle in In the Night Garden.
- Rebecca Hyland (Laa-Laa): A specialist in children's theater and movement.
- Racheal Beinart (Po): An actor and stunt performer who took over the role of the smallest Teletubby.
The Sun Baby was also replaced for the reboot, with a young infant named Berry taking over the role. By 2026, Berry is a pre-teen, continuing the legacy of the smiling sun.
The "Toddler" Paradox: Why Adults Played Children
A common question regarding the Teletubbies cast is why children weren't used to play the roles. The answer lies in the sheer physical demand of the production. Filming took place in a rural field in Wimpstone, Warwickshire, often under harsh weather conditions.
The characters were required to perform repetitive movements, interact with animatronic props like the Noo-Noo, and maintain specific spatial relationships that would be impossible for an actual two-year-old to manage. By using adult performers with backgrounds in dance and comedy, the creators could choreograph the "simple" movements of the Teletubbies with professional precision. This allowed the show to maintain its "educational" pacing—slow enough for babies to follow, but technically perfect enough for television broadcast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the oldest Teletubby actor?
In 2026, the oldest original cast member is Dave Thompson (the first Tinky Winky), who is 66. Of the main "long-term" original cast, John Simmit (Dipsy) is the oldest at 63.
Is the original Sun Baby still a baby?
No, the original Sun Baby, Jess Smith, is 31 years old in 2026. She was born in 1995 and was roughly nine months old when her iconic segment was filmed in 1996 for the 1997 premiere.
How tall were the Teletubbies in real life?
The Teletubby costumes were significantly larger than they appeared on screen. Tinky Winky was the largest at 10 feet tall, while even Po, the smallest, stood at approximately 6 feet 6 inches. The scale was hidden by the enormous size of the "Tubbytronic Superdome" set and the giant rabbits (Flemish Giants) used on location.
Why was the original Tinky Winky replaced?
Dave Thompson was replaced after the first season because the production company, Ragdoll Productions, reportedly felt his interpretation of the character was "inappropriate." Thompson has since stated that he was told his "dance" and movements didn't fit the vision for the character. Simon Shelton took over and remained until the end of the original run.
Are any of the Teletubbies cast members still acting?
Yes, many are still active in the entertainment industry. Pui Fan Lee remains a prominent children's television presenter. John Simmit continues to perform stand-up comedy and produce live comedy shows. Nikky Smedley works in choreography and education, and Dave Thompson continues his career in comedy and writing.
Final Summary for Fans and Researchers
The Teletubbies remain a cornerstone of early childhood media, and the actors behind the suits have transitioned into various respected roles within the arts. In 2026, the legacy of the original cast—John Simmit, Nikky Smedley, Pui Fan Lee, and the late Simon Shelton—is defined by their ability to have created a universal non-verbal language that reached millions of children.
If you are looking to revisit the series or research its history, it is important to distinguish between the "character age" (toddlerhood) and the "actor age" (adult professionals). This distinction highlights the incredible physical effort required to create a world that appeared, to the youngest viewers, as simple, safe, and small. For more information on the history of the show, fans can explore the archives of Ragdoll Productions or the official Teletubbies YouTube channels which continue to host classic and remastered content.
