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The daughter of Teletubbies actor Simon Shelter Barnes has paid tribute to her "beautiful" father who "froze to death" in the street after he collapsed.

The Tinky Winky actor, from Bedfordshire, died of hypothermia after collapsing on the streets of Liverpool last week.

The actor and dancer was known for playing the role of the purple Teletubby on the popular programme from 1998 to 2001.

After his death, his daughter Lydia Barnes, a make-up artist, said in a tribute posted on social media: “I love you so much dad. Always have, always will.

"The most beautiful man in the world. Forever in my heart.”

Mr Barnes, 52, was found last Wednesday at 7.30am having died of hypothermia in the Mann Island area of the city.

His son Henry also paid tribute to his late father on Facebook, writing: “'I lost my lovely dad on Wednesday, he was the kindest and most gentle man I knew and I love him more than anything.”

“I always used to be embarrassed as a child that he was a dancer and an actor but now I couldn’t be more proud!

"He is in a better place now and I know he wouldn’t want me to be sad, so I’m going to live my life the way he would want me to.”

Mr Barnes’ niece Emily Atack – who starred in The Inbetweeners – also posted a picture of her uncle on her Instagram page, writing: “My wonderful uncle Simon Barnes has been taken from us all so suddenly.

“The kindest and most talented man you could ever wish to meet. Loved by all who knew him, and will be forever. X.”

The father-of-three started out at a ballet dancer and choreographer before he was offered the role of Tinky Winky.

According to friends, he was initially reluctant to take on the role but was soon receiving fan mail from adults and children alike, making him feel like a “member of The Beatles”.

The MailOnline reported that Merseyside Police were called to reports that a man had died on Wednesday morning. Eyewitnesses said he had had collapsed and suffered hypothermia.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “We have confirmed some details about the death of Simon Shelton Barnes.

“We were called to the Mann Island area of Liverpool on January 17 at about 7.30 in the morning to reports of a man being found deceased.

“There are no suspicious circumstances, so anything else around this tragedy we are referring to the coroners."