Dave Thompson (born 30 June 1959) is an English actor, stand-up comedian and writer, who made headlines in July 1997 after being removed from the role of Tinky Winky in the

children's television series Children's television series (or children's television shows) are Television show, television programs designed specifically for Child, children. They are typically characterised by easy-going content devoid of sensitive or adult themes and are ...

, ''

Teletubbies ''Teletubbies'' is a British children's television series created by Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport for the BBC. The programme focuses on four differently coloured characters known as the Teletubbies, named after the television screens on t ...

'' after 70 episodes. The

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

said in a letter to Thompson that his "interpretation of the role was not acceptable". Thompson recounted bursting into tears upon learning the news of his termination. In interviews, he supposed that the dubbing of his voice, unlike the other actors, was an indication of dissatisfaction over his performance. Thompson later appeared in the 2000

Ben Elton Benjamin Charles Elton is a British comedian, actor, author, playwright, lyricist and director. One of the major figures in the alternative comedy movement of the 1980s, his early stand-up style was Left-wing politics, left-wing political satire ...

film '' Maybe Baby'' as Dave the Comedian/Mrs. Furblob. He also appeared in

Harry Hill Matthew Keith Hall (born 1 October 1964), known professionally as Harry Hill, is an English comedian, presenter and writer. He pursued a career in stand-up following years working as a medical doctor, developing an offbeat, energetic performanc ...

's live tour ''Hooves'' as the minor characters of the Horse, the ballboy and the Greek man who grabs Harry's neck. Thompson also made appearances in each night of Hill's ''Hooves'' tour.

Filmography

Film

*'' Hardcore'' (1979) – Willem *''Area'' (1989) – Doctor *''Huge'' (2010) – Martin Luckhust *''

The Harry Hill Movie ''The Harry Hill Movie'' is a 2013 British musical comedy film, directed by Steve Bendelack and starring Harry Hill. It was written by Hill along with Jon Foster and James Lamont. It revolves around a fictional version of Harry Hill's adventu ...

'' (2013) – Brain Number Two *''Down the Back of the Sofa'' (2017) – Himself/host

Television

*''

Red Dwarf A red dwarf is the smallest kind of star on the main sequence. Red dwarfs are by far the most common type of fusing star in the Milky Way, at least in the neighborhood of the Sun. However, due to their low luminosity, individual red dwarfs are ...

'' (1993) – Cowpoke *''

'' (1997; Season 1, 70 episodes) – Tinky Winky *''

'' (1998) – Fake Alan *'' Screech Owls'' (2002) – Himself *''Time Gentleman Please'' (2000–2002) – Dave *''

TV Burp ''Harry Hill's TV Burp'' (also referred to as ''TV Burp'') is a British television comedy clip series, written and hosted by comedian Harry Hill, and produced by Avalon Television for ITV. The show's format sees Hill take a comedic look towa ...

'' (2004–2012) – Various characters *'' Blessed'' (2005)

Production credits

Writer

*''

The Sketch Show ''The Sketch Show'' is a British television sketch comedy programme, featuring British comedians. It aired on ITV between 2001 and 2004. The show was first commissioned in 2001 and was co-produced by a company owned by Steve Coogan. Despite t ...

'' (8 episodes) *''

'' (2 episodes)

Books

*''Sit-Down Comedy'' (contributor to anthology, ed

Malcolm Hardee Malcolm Hardee (5 January 1950 – 31 January 2005) was an English comedian and comedy club proprietor. His high reputation among his peers rests on his outrageous publicity stunts and on the help and advice he gave to successful British Alte ...

& John Fleming) Ebury Press/Random House, 2003. ;

References

External links

* * 1959 births Male actors from Bristol Living people British puppeteers English stand-up comedians British male television actors British male film actors British male comedians Comedians from Bristol English male comedians {{UK-comedian-stub