Teletubbies’ Tinky Winky actor killed by alcohol and hypothermia

The actor who played Tinky Winky in BBC show Teletubbies died of hypothermia, according to an inquest.

Simon Shelton, also known as Simon Barnes, was found “frozen to death“ in a Liverpool street after lapsing into alcoholism.

Simon Shelton was found with a “high concentration of alcohol” in his body when he froze to death at the age of 52 following a night out in Liverpool in January.

An inquest by coroner Anita Bhardwaj recorded his cause of death as misadventure.

She remarked that it’s likely both the alcohol and plummeting temperatures caused his death,

Mrs Bhardwaj wrote:

“Simon Barnes was 52 with a medical history of alcohol dependence.”

She continued:

“On 17 January at 7.15am, Simon was found deceased at the Port of Liverpool Building in a well between the building and street.

“Toxicological analysis found a high concentration of alcohol.

“The temperature on the day was three degrees and it is more likely than not the combination of the alcohol consumed and the temperature caused his death.”

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