Bafta-winning producer of beloved BBC children’s TV show took own life after getting letter from NHS amid cancer battle
A BAFTA-winning producer tragically took his life after receiving a NHS letter amid his cancer battle.
Daniel Postgate, 61, sadly died at his home in Whitstable, Kent, on June 27 this year.
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Producer Daniel Postgate tragically took his own life on June 27Credit: Cover Images
The 61-year-old had been battling a rare form of blood cancerCredit: Cover Images
Mr Postgate was hailed for his work in the TV industry as he spearheaded Smallfilms productionCredit: Cover Images
The beloved producer, who worked on the relaunch of CBeebies favourite The Clangers, opened a letter from the NHS the day before his death.
An inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone heard how Mr Postgate had previously gone through gruelling treatment for aplastic anaemia in 2019.
He was warned the condition, which sees the body fail to create sufficient blood cells, may return although the treatment had gone well.
In 2024 the dad-of-two sadly separated from his partner of 35 years and in a devastating turn was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome – a form of blood cancer.
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Mr Postgate had gone through one round of chemotherapy but told his family he was “afraid my illness can’t be cured” in a note.
A day before his death, he read an NHS letter about his diagnosis, which his loved ones believe partially led to the tragedy.
His family told the inquest it “was the straw that broke the camel’s back”.
Mr Postgate’s heartbroken brother Simon, who chatted with him over the phone two days before his death, told the inquest: “I think he had something in mind, but I don’t know for certain.
“He was able to communicate and was quite chatty and fairly relaxed, but he had underlying depression for about 40 years.
“It was sometimes difficult to tell what frame of mind he was in.”
Coroner Sarah Clarke concluded Mr Postgate had taken his own life.
She said: “I always say to family, I don’t think it’s a question [why a person has died by suicide] that can ever be answered.
“He tells me he’s undertaking a deliberate act. He doesn’t want to endure the ongoing treatment.
“I would be wrong to find another reason [for Daniel’s death].”
Mr Postgate was hailed for his work in the TV industry as he spearheaded Smallfilms production.
Mr Postgate was behind the successful reboot of the children’s classic ClangersCredit: Smallfilms
The company brought beloved children’s shows including the iconic Bagpuss to life.
Mr Postgate took over operations after his father’s death in 2008 and led it to new heights.
A tribute posted by Smallfilms following his death said: “I am absolutely heartbroken to have to inform you of the passing of my dear friend and custodian of all things Smallfilms Daniel Postgate.
“He was a lovely, kind man and will be hugely missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
Alongside Bagpuss co-creator Peter Firmin, Mr Postgate was praised for relaunching CBeebies’ The Clangers, which shot to popularity between 2015 and 2020.
The show took home a British Academy Children’s Award for Best Pre-School Animation.
Mr Postgate was nominated the following year for the prestigious Best Writer gong.
Meanwhile, he had been collaborating with Birmingham-based Threewise Entertainment on plans to bring Bagpuss to the big screen in 2027.
He told KentOnline last year: “It may seem quite rudimentary but kids found it kind of bewitching because, in some respects, it took a certain amount of their imaginations to be engaged in it.”
Mr Postgate’s passion for the industry was sparked when he worked as an apprentice signwriter and painter.
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He later relocated to London where he found success as a cartoonist – with his illustrations featuring in The Sunday Times and Radio Times.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
How to get help
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
The Bafta-winning writer had received a letter about his cancer diagnosis the day before his deathCredit: Cover Images
Alongside Bagpuss co-creator Peter Firmin, Mr Postgate was praised for relaunching CBeebies’ The Clangers, which shot to popularity between 2015 and 2020Credit: Cover Images
