Andy Cunningham — English actor, puppeteer and creator of Bodger & Badger

Career and notable works

Cunningham’s public profile rests mainly on his television work for children, combining physical comedy and puppetry. Bodger & Badger featured a blend of slapstick, surreal gags and a running joke: Badger’s obsession with mashed potato. The series began in the late 1980s and continued through the 1990s, becoming a memorable part of British children’s television of that era. Cunningham wrote much of the material and performed both the human and puppet elements, demonstrating skills in character-writing, timing and live manipulation.

Other performance work

Beyond his own series, Cunningham worked as a puppeteer and performer on a variety of projects. One of his better-known film contributions was as an uncredited puppeteer for the character Ephant Mon, Jabba the Hutt’s head of security, in the 1983 film Return of the Jedi. He also took part in live shows, guest appearances and smaller television roles where his experience with physical comedy and puppet characters was an asset.

Style, technique and characters

Cunningham’s work is characterised by physical humour, child-friendly absurdity and strong identification between performer and puppet. His Badger character relied on exaggerated facial expression, vocal quirks and a recurring prop-based gag (the mashed potato) to create a consistent comic identity. As both writer and performer he created tightly integrated sketches where the puppetry and the live-action performance fed off each other.

Personal life and death

Cunningham was in a long-term relationship with Jane Bassett, a co-star on Bodger & Badger who played Mousey. The couple later parted but remained on good terms. Andy Cunningham died of colon cancer on 5 June 2017 in Brighton, East Sussex, aged 67.

Legacy

Although Cunningham’s name is sometimes known primarily to adults who grew up with his show, his influence on British children’s entertainment is notable for the way he blended low-tech puppetry with sharp comic writing. Bodger & Badger remains a touchstone for nostalgic fans and an example of how simple concepts executed with character and timing can achieve lasting appeal. His film puppetry work is also a reminder of the many behind-the-scenes contributors to major franchise films.

• Best known for: Creator and star of Bodger & Badger.
• Film work: Puppeteer on Return of the Jedi (Ephant Mon).
• Skills: Puppetry, character writing, physical comedy.