Brian Cant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brian Cant
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Cant on 3 November 2007, at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool
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| Born | 12 July 1933 Ipswich, Suffolk, England
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| Died | 19 June 2017 (aged 83) Denville Hall, Northwood, England
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| Occupation | Actor, television presenter, writer |
| Years active | 1960–2017 |
| Spouse(s) |
Sylvia Mary Gibson
(m. 1959; div. 1984)Cherry Britton
(m. 1984) |
| Children | 5, including Richard Cant |
Brian Cant (born 12 July 1933 – died 19 June 2017) was a famous English actor, television presenter, and writer. He was best known for his work on BBC children's TV shows. Many people remember him from Play School and later Dappledown Farm. He brought joy to millions of children for many years.
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Who Was Brian Cant?
Brian Cant was a much-loved face and voice on British television. He spent over 50 years entertaining audiences. He was especially famous for his work on shows made for younger viewers. His friendly voice and kind manner made him a favorite for many generations.
His Early Life
Brian Cant was born in Ipswich, England, on 12 July 1933. As a boy, he went to Northgate Grammar School. This school is now called Northgate High School. He even trained with the youth team of Ipswich Town F.C. for a while. Before becoming an actor, he worked as a printer. He started acting in the late 1950s.
Becoming a TV Star
Brian Cant became very famous for his work on children's television. He started working for the BBC in 1964. His career took off when he joined a new show for young children.
The Magic of Play School
Brian Cant was auditioning for a BBC drama when he heard about a new children's show. This show was called Play School. It was going to be on the new BBC 2 channel. For his audition, he was asked to pretend to row a boat in a cardboard box. He even pretended to catch a wellington boot filled with custard! He got the job and first appeared on the show in May 1964. He stayed with Play School for 21 years. He became known as 'Mr Play School' because he was on the show for so long. Brian believed Play School helped children try out new ideas.
Voices for Puppet Shows
Because of his work on Play School, Brian Cant also worked on some popular puppet shows. He was involved in three famous series created by Gordon Murray. These shows were Camberwick Green (1966), Trumpton (1967), and Chigley (1969). He helped bring these beloved characters to life with his voice.
Other Fun Shows
Brian Cant hosted or co-hosted other popular children's shows too. He was on Play Away from 1971 to 1984. He also presented Bric-a-Brac from 1980 to 1982. These shows were for slightly older children. From 1990 to 1999, he starred as Brian the farmer in Dappledown Farm. He also voiced Harry the Heron in that show. He was even the narrator for the UK versions of Jay Jay the Jet Plane and the Canadian show Bruno.
Beyond Children's TV
While he was best known for children's shows, Brian Cant also appeared in TV series for adults. In the 1960s, he was in two Doctor Who stories. He played Kert Gantry in The Daleks' Master Plan in 1965. In 1968, he was Tensa in The Dominators. He also appeared in the daytime drama Doctors three times.
He had a few roles in movies, including The Pleasure Girls (1965) and The Sandwich Man (1966).
Awards and Recognition
In 2001, Brian Cant appeared in a music video for the band Orbital. It was like a Play School clip, with him in his familiar presenter role. He also read some audiobooks.
In April 2007, a poll named Brian Cant as the most loved voice from UK children's television. He was chosen by over 1,200 people. He came before other famous narrators like Oliver Postgate and David Jason. On 28 November 2010, he received a special award at the Children's BAFTAs. This award was for all his amazing work in children's television. When he accepted the award, he made a funny speech. He said he was paid to think and act like a child, even when he became a man!
His Life Off-Screen
Brian Cant lived in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. He was married twice and had five children. One of his sons, Richard Cant, is also an actor. In 1984, he married Cherry Britton, who is a writer and director. Cherry is the daughter of actor Tony Britton and sister of TV presenter Fern Britton.
Saying Goodbye
Brian Cant was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1999. He shared this news in an interview in 2010. He passed away on 19 June 2017, at the age of 83. He died at Denville Hall, a retirement home for people in the entertainment industry, in Northwood, London.
