Introduction
Andrew "Andy" Cunningham (13 May 1950 – 5 June 2017), was an English actor, puppeteer, ventriloquist and writer. He was best known as the creator and main writer of the children's BBC television series, Bodger & Badger, in which he acted as the likeable but accident prone Simon Bodger and his pet, Badger.
Personal life
Cunningham studied at the University of Cambridge, where he read English. He dropped out of this course part-way through but completed his degree at the University of Reading. 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.
Career
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. 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.
Death
Cunningham died of duodenal cancer on 5 June 2017 at Royal Sussex County Hospital with his former partner and his family around him. He didn't regain consciousness after undergoing emergency stomach surgery, related to his cancer.