Strokes - Children's Tv Artist Tony Hart Dead At 83

Tony Hart, who inspired millions of children to pick up pencil and paper and draw for the first time, has died at the age of 83.

The artist and children's television presenter died peacefully in his sleep after suffering from health problems for the last two years, his family said.

Hart had suffered two strokes since retiring in 2001.

After receiving his big break in the 1950s after impressing a BBC producer with an impromptu drawing on a napkin, Hart went on to enthral generations of younger viewers with his programmes Vision On, Take Hart and Hart Beat.

A graduate of the Maidstone College of Art, Hart was well known for his association with Aardman Animations creation Morph and the gallery sections of his programmes, where viewers' efforts were showcased to the tune of iconic easy listening music.

Hart, born in Maidstone in October 1925 and an officer during the second world war, was also known for designing the Blue Peter badge.

In one of his last-ever interviews he expressed deep regret at being unable to use his hands to draw after suffering his second stroke, dubbing it the "greatest cross I have to bear".