...and inspiration to millions.
18.01.09
My original autograph from Tony Hart - 1979"I hope I've achieved the sort of programme that entertains first, and maybe surprises, informs, and amuses, and that people don't just forget that but in the backs of their minds think "perhaps I'll have a go at that one day" ...Tony Hart
Norman Anthony Hart served with 1st Gurkha Rifles as an officer before taking a course at the Maidstone College of Art and entered television in 1952 after a chance meeting with a BBC children's TV producer. The rest, as they say, is history!
Tony was given a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998, which sat rather nicely with his two BAFTA's - he retired from regular TV work in 2001 after working on children’s art programmes for nearly 50 years. He was most famous for fronting shows including Take Hart and Hart Beat. He single-handedly introduced successive generations of children to the delights of drawing - as well as to the myriad creative possibilities afforded by old egg boxes, empty cereal packets and milk bottle tops.
...The 'Gallery section of these shows invited the nations young to send in their own creations. The lucky few would have their masterpieces shown whilst the 'iconic' gallery music played away in the background - "Leftbank 2", composed by Wayne Hill and performed by the Lance Gambit Trio became an instant gallery classic!
In 1977 Tony helped to create 'Morph' with Peter Lord of Aardman Animations. He also designed the original 'Blue Peter' logo for which he was paid the princely sum of £100.
In 1979 I wrote to Mr. Hart as part of a school project. We had to contact a person who had inspired us... Tony was my choice because he helped to open my eyes to all things creative... Thank you Tony - you are, and always will be, a star!...
Mr Hart and Morph both get a very artistic 10 out of 10
