Brian Cant: English children's television presenter and actor

Early life and beginnings

Cant was born in Ipswich, in Suffolk. He began working as an actor in the years after World War II, gaining experience in stage work and light entertainment before establishing a long association with television for young audiences in the 1960s. His background in performance shaped a relaxed on-camera presence.

Career and notable programmes

He became widely known as a presenter on Play School, a flagship BBC programme, and appeared in a range of other children’s series. One recurring role was Brian the Farmer in the live-action series Dapplewood Farm, which showcased simple stories and songs. Cant’s contributions combined presenting, narration and acting.

• Play School — long-running BBC children’s series
• Dapplewood Farm — featured Cant as a farmer character
• Various storytelling and narration roles across radio and television

Cant’s style was often described as warm, reassuring and informal: he spoke directly to young viewers as if in conversation, which helped make educational and entertainment content accessible. That approach influenced many later presenters and is frequently cited when discussing the development of children’s television in Britain.

Awards, legacy and death

In recognition of his long service to children’s broadcasting, Cant received a special award at the Children’s BAFTAs in 2010. He remained a familiar figure in retrospectives on the history of British children’s television and is remembered for the distinctive tone he brought to his work.

Cant died on 19 June 2017 in the London Borough of Hillingdon, England, aged 83, after suffering complications related to Parkinson’s disease. His career—spanning presenting, acting and writing—left a lasting imprint on UK children’s media and on viewers who grew up watching him.