Andy Cunningham

Andrew Cunningham (13 May 1950 – 5 June 2017) was an English actor, puppeteer, ventriloquist and writer. He was 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 also had a daughter, Phoebe, from a previous relationship.

Career

Before entering the acting profession and entertainment industry, he was an English teacher, then a social worker.

After a while Andy began to explore magic conventions and it was at one in Brighton where - after spending a considerable amount of time having trouble getting past the doorman - he ordered by mail order a puppet called "Benji the Adorable Puppy" (which he named "China" after the Cockney slang "china plate", meaning "mate" – later to be used as China the Dog in Bodger and Badger). When this puppet arrived, he found himself being able to operate the puppet dog naturally and was able to ad-lib routines and comments in a way that he wasn't comfortable with doing with the ventriloquist's doll (which he named Douglas). Soon after, he gave up his day job to turn this hobby into a full-time job, alongside his work with the Covent Garden Community Theatre (with whom he held various positions, including acting). It was while working as a director here that he gave comedian Julian Clary his first big break.

Another act he developed was of a three-headed man named "Freeman, Hardy and Willis".