Devon's Mr Benn creator dies

As if by magic, David McKee wrote famous series

The Devon-born writer of one of the 1970s' most iconic children's television shows has died.

David McKee, who created animated series Mr Benn, was 87 when he passed away at his home in the south of France.

Although he wrote only 13 episodes, which were broadcast in 1971 and 1972, they were repeated twice a year for 21 years.

So a generation of children were brought up familiar with a bowler-hatted gentleman who left his home at 52 Festive Road, London and visited a fancy dress shop where, as if by magic, a man appears and proffers an exotic costume. 

A short adventure with a moral ensues before Mr Benn returns back to his normal life with a small and unexpected souvenir from his travels.

Now life's journey for Mr McKee has come to its natural end. 

But it began in Devon, where he studied at Plymouth College of Art in the 1940s.

As well as Mr Benn, he also wrote Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and Not Now, Bernard. He sold more than 10 million books.

In a statement, his publisher Andersen Press announced the "beloved" author's death "with great sadness".

All at Andersen Press hope his spirit lives on for many more generations through his joyful, heartfelt stories," they said. 

Mr Benn was broadcast by the BBC for 21 years (image courtesy: BBC)