Family, friends, and fans of Bobby Ash, known to many as "Uncle Bobby," are mourning the passing of one of Canada's most loved children's entertainers.
Ash, originally from the U.K., died in Elliot Lake, Ont., on Sunday of a heart attack. He was 82.
Ash starred in "the Uncle Bobby Show," which began its run on Toronto's CFTO channel in 1964.
Fans will remember Uncle Bobby was joined by "Bimbo the Birthday Clown;" "the Singing Policeman," played by Meredith Cutting; "the ventriloquist", played by Cy Leonard and guitarist Alex Laurier.
The 30-minute show was later titled "Uncle Bobby and Friends" and ran for two years on CTV to become a staple of weekday afternoons for many Canadian children.
In 1979 the show changed titles again to Kid's Corner.
Even after Uncle Bobby left the airwaves, Ash continued to entertain kids as the author of children's books in his retirement.
Ash began his career in children's entertainment as a clown.
Funeral and memorial service arrangements are pending.
