John Cunliffe, creator of beloved children's TV shows Postman Pat and Rosie and Jim has died aged 85. 

 

Cunliffe’s family placed a death notice in their local newspaper, the Ilkley Gazette, announcing that he died on 20 September and was buried after a private funeral on Wednesday.

 

As well as creating the instantly recognisable characters, he also created picture books and collections of poetry for kids.  

 

 

“[John Cunliffe] left his Ilkley home in a deluge of rain on Thursday 20 September, never to return,” read the notice. “Even the skies wept for John, the gifted creator of Postman Pat, Rosie and Jim and author of many earlier published collections of poetry and picture story books for children.”

 

 

To bring life to his vision, he teamed animator Ivor Wood, who had worked on the Magic Roundabout, The Herbs, The Wombles and Paddington Bear.

 

Cunliffe is survived by his wife, Sylvia, and son, Edward.

 

 

A spokesman for Royal Mail (who featured in Postman Pat) said: “Royal Mail was saddened to hear of the death of John Cunliffe.

 

“He created a character loved by young and old alike, while highlighting the unique role that postmen and women, in their red vans, play in communities across the country.”

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