Ronnie Le Drew, puppeteer behind Zippy and David Bowie’s goblins, dies aged 78

Canadian-born British operator, president of the British Puppet Guild, died after a ‘short illness’ Ronnie Le Drew, best known for operating the puppet Zippy on the classic children’s television programme Rainbow has died aged 78, after a “short illness”. The news was confirmed by the British Puppet Guild, of which Le Drew was president. The Canadian-born British puppeteer was also known for working on 1986’s Labyrinth alongside David Bowie as well as 1986’s Little Shop of Horrors and various...

By Martin Belam