Sorry Morph

[Camell]

Part of my childhood and I am sure part of Morphs! From the BEEB:

Artist and children's presenter Tony Hart has died, aged 83.

Hart, who lived in Surrey, had suffered from health problems for a number of years, including two strokes. His family said he died peacefully.

The affable presenter inspired children to paint and draw on shows like Vision On, Take Hart and Hartbeat for nearly 50 years before he retired in 2001.

Fellow artist Rolf Harris led tributes, calling Hart "a very gentle and talented guy".

"He enthused and inspired a whole generation of kids into creating their own works of art, simple or complex."


Hart's agent, Roc Renals, said the presenter had died in the early hours of Sunday morning.

He said: "I was for many years his best friend, agent, manager and publicist. He suffered two strokes many years ago and his health declined since then."

"Thousands and thousands of young people who are now grown up will thank him for inspiring them to take up art," he added.

Wilf Lunn, Hart's friend who worked with him on Vision On for nine years, said he was a television pioneer.

"His legacy was the fact he really started all these children's programmes, Art Attack and all that, and he was the guy, right at the beginning.

"And he was the guy who had all these little tricks that teachers used to use because they make things look easy, and we got people into doing it. And he was such a nice man."

Morph

A lovely, gentle, skilful presenter, who allowed the art to be the centre of attention.

The artist served as an officer in the 1st Gurkha Rifles in World War II, before joining a course at Maidstone College of Art.

Gurkha Welfare Trust director Colonel William Shuttlewood said Hart regularly donated pictures which were auctioned and raised "substantial" amounts of money.

He said: "I am sorry he has gone. He was a lovely chap and was very keen to make sure we were supported properly."

It was a chance meeting in 1952 with a BBC TV producer and a demonstration of his quick art skills on a paper napkin that secured his on-screen career.

Hart became resident artist on the Saturday Special programme that year.

Subsequent TV shows included Playbox, Titch and Quackers, Vision On, Take Hart, Hartbeat and Smart Hart.

From 1977 he appeared with animated clay character Morph, who lived in a pencil box. Morph was later joined by his cream-coloured colleague Chas.

Hartbeat often attracted 5.4 million viewers and Hart's mailbag varied between 6,000 and 8,000 per week.

Richard Deverell, BBC Children's Controller, said: "Tony was a warm man who had an unique ability to communicate with and inspire children.

"He was an inspirational man and a terrific broadcaster."

Hart received two Bafta awards, won a lifetime achievement award in 1998, and also created the original design for the Blue Peter badge.

In an interview last year he said not being able to draw after suffering two strokes was the "greatest cross I have to bear".

However, he added: "My aged heart is warmed by the lovely letters and e-mails I receive, especially when they tell me that my work on television inspired the writers to become artists, sometimes very successful ones."

[Miskiet]

I loved that show - Seems such good entertainment vs todays Powerranger/Transformer performer rubbish.......

[kraaines]

Paint In Peace!
*Condolences to Morph

[slysi]

Man, that brings back some memories. I used to watch Morph when I was a youngster in the UK.

RIP

[Morph]

He left an indelible impression on me hence the adoption of the name and the character. Very sad, but he made a massive impact of millions of children all over the world, so I would say, he achieved his purpose in life.

RIP Tony Hart

[John Boucher]

Man the kids don't know what thay are missing today!

I enjoyed MORPH and his weird and woderful sounds(I'm sure Mr.Bean copied him), Rooi & Blou, Lewe van bo AF, Spy vs Spy (MAD) and that never ending Pencil Line oke (can't remember the name but Hyandai used him in the ATOS ad). Haas Das was brare rabbit on steriods, Knersus was just awesome and the closest we came to flight was Karel Kraai.... I remember when we would bliksem the oke next door because he wanted to play with your Scalectrix or Mecano set! Now it is PSP, PS3, XBOX & Wii

Rest in peace old man - you gave us kids mega pleasure with MORPH

[Stephan van Tonder]

Shame. Also loved morph.
John - knersus was fantastic and I don't think I ever missed an episode

[AndyG]

John & Stephan,

When we eventually get together I will do my Knersus imprersonation for you. Remember the teeth on the washing line.

How about Bennie Boekwurm,

Hullo Magda!!!

[John Boucher]

Ha ha ha
Ek's vuur ek's vlam
Niks wat my kan vang
Ha ha ha

http://onanymous.blogspot.com/2005/03/o ... algie.html (check this out!)

Maja the Bee anyone? WARGAMES - you looked like the buzzing wonder at one stage didn't you?

We are getting old and by discussing our Wielie Walie experiences shows we were children then!

Ek is mos 'n kinders....

[AndyG]

John,


You are never too old to have a happy childhood!!!

[Low Level]

Watched an episode of Trompie on Kyknet on Monday afternoon. Man that brings back memories - not only of Trompie, but our way of living that age. He shouts to his mom in the kitchen "Ma, ek gaan gou na Dawie toe." - then runs out the little garden gate down the street. Then Dawie comes running down the street on the Saturday - " Hey Trompie, kom ons gaan swem" Trompie - "Nee man, ek moet in die tuin werk" Remember all that lekka Saturday afternoons at the municipal pool.

Good stuff, and don't tell anyone I said it, but there is a re-run of Heidi as well on Kyknet. Recording all of this for my laaitie.

[Wallaby]

Yeah, I also remember watchin' Morph and the abominable snowman, in the afternoons on the tellie. Can't even remember how old I was, but it was a cool show and for that period the animation with Morph ( which was made out of clay if I'm correct ) was just ways ahead of its time.
Come to think of it, our own mr Morph actually starts more and more to look like the abominable snowman .
Morph, at least your avatar will always brings us good memories of the past .

[AndyG]

Trompie en die Boksem bende, dis Blikkies, Dawie, Rooie en Boesman die brak, met ingehoute skoene en n' kettie in sy sak. Kwaggeberg se hoerskool ken die boksem bende, blah blah blah balh blah
And katrinkie was his chick.

Frik, I am really showing my age here. We will start talking about squad cars and Jet Jungle just now.

[AndyG]

Remember these

[AndyG]

one more