Andy Cunningham

Andrew "Andy" Cunningham (13 May 1950 - 5 June 2017), was an English actor, puppeteer and writer. He was perhaps best known as the creator and main writer of the children's BBC television series, Bodger & Badger, in which he acted as Simon Bodger and his pet, Badger. Cunningham studied at the University of Cambridge, where he read English. He was in a long-term relationship with co-star Jane Bassett who played Mousey in Bodger & Badger. They later separated but remained good friends. He also had a daughter, Phoebe. He was also the uncredited puppeteer of Ephant Mon, Jabba the Hutt's Head of Security in Return of the Jedi (1983). Comedian Julian Clary got his first job from Cunningham. Cunningham died due to cancer on 5 June 2017 at Royal Sussex County Hospital with his former partner and his family around him.