Children's presenter Tony Hart dies

He appeared on art programmes for nearly 50 years before retiring in 2001 because of health problems but was most famous for fronting children's art shows including Take Hart and Hartbeat.

His agent Roc Renals said he died in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Fellow artist and television presenter Rolf Harris described him as "a very gentle and talented guy".

He said: "He brought huge creativity to his TV programmes Vision On and Take Hart, particularly using unexpected sources and materials. He enthused and inspired a whole generation of kids into creating their own works of art, simple or complex."

His shows inspired generations of children to get involved in art. He was also instrumental in the early success of Aardman Animations, creators of the Oscar-winning adventures of Wallace and Gromit.

The company was set up by students David Sproxton and Peter Lord but only went full-time when they created the character of Morph for Take Hart.

A spokesman for the company said: "It's a very, very sad day. Without that programme and without Morph there would be no Aardman.

"Every animator that comes through the Aardman studio has to make a Morph and animate it. It's a tradition and if they can make it properly then they are probably good enough for Aardman.

"Even Nick Park made a Morph when he joined Aardman."