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BRITT Allcroft, the creator of the beloved children’s television series Thomas & Friends, has died aged 81.
Filmmaker and friend Brannon Carty shared the sad news of Allcroft’s passing on X.
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Who was Britt Allcroft?
Britt Allcroft was a TV producer and the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine.
She was born Hilary Mary Allcroft on 14 December 1943 in Worthing, West Sussex, England.
However, she chose to change her first name to Britt as she began making strides in the British radio and television industry.
Before Thomas and Friends, Allcroft helped create a number of programmes for the BBC and ITV during the 1970s and 1980s.
These includedMoon Clue Game, Dance Crazy and Keepsakes and Mothers By Daughters among others.
The legend secured the rights to adapt Reverend Wilbert Awdry’s Railway Series in the 1970s.
In 1984, the series aired as Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends.
She spent four years alongside her husband – TV producer Angus Wright – raising funds to create the first 26 episodes.
The show was a runaway success and ran for just shy of 40 years.
When did she die?
Allcroft’s death was confirmed on 3rd January 2025.
It is unknown whether or not she passed away on that exact date.
She was 81 years old.
When did she work on Thomas and Friends?
The series follows the adventures of Thomas, a blue steam train operating on the fictional North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor.
He and his friends Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby.
Allcroft worked on the show during its 24 series tenure.
In total, 584 episodes were aired from 9 October 1984 to 20 January 2021.
Filmmaker and friend Brannon Carty took to X to reveal the sad news to fans.
“It is with great sadness that I share with you the passing of Britt Allcroft,” he wrote.
“The Allcroft-Wright family has asked me to bring this news to the Thomas fandom.
Britt was an adoring mother and wife. A visionary producer.
“She brought so much joy and happiness to people everywhere during her time on Earth.
“Her legacy will endure forever through Thomas and his fans around the world.”
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