Alcohol responsible for Simon Shelton, Tinky Winky of Tellytubies’s death, coroner says

Following an inquest, the cause of Shelton’s death has been revealed to be due to hypothermia coupled with alcohol poisoning.

The 52-year-old actor was found with a “high concentration of alcohol” in his body when he froze to death following a night out in Liverpool in January.

An inquest by coroner Anita Bhardwaj recorded his cause of death as misadventure. She remarked that it’s likely both the alcohol and plummeting temperatures caused his death.

“Simon Barnes was 52 with a medical history of alcohol dependence,” Bhardwaj writes.

“On 17 January at 7.15 am, Simon was found deceased at the Port of Liverpool Building in a well between the building and street.

“Toxicological analysis found a high concentration of alcohol.

“The temperature on the day was three degrees and it is more likely than not the combination of the alcohol consumed and the temperature caused his death,” the report concludes.