Rainbow TV Show: Why It Ended and What Happened Next

For millions of British children growing up between the 1970s and 1990s, the gentle theme tune of Rainbow meant it was time to settle down with Zippy, Bungle, and George. But behind the colourful puppets and singalongs lies a surprisingly complex story — one that involves a sudden cancellation, a notorious banned tape, and lingering questions about the cast that followed them long after the credits rolled.

Original run: 16 October 1972 – 6 March 1992 ·
Number of series: 20 ·
Production company: Thames Television ·
Creator: Pamela Lonsdale ·
Notable characters: Zippy, Bungle, George, Geoffrey Hayes

The numbers reveal a show that dominated British children’s television for two decades.

The pattern: this was not a niche programme but a flagship that anchored ITV’s daytime schedule for an entire generation.

Why was the Rainbow TV show cancelled?

The most common assumption is that Rainbow was cancelled because of falling ratings or controversy. The reality is more mundane — and tied directly to a seismic shift in British television franchising. Thames Television, which had produced the show since its debut in 1972, lost its ITV franchise to Carlton Television on New Year’s Eve 1992. Without a production home, the show simply ended.

Declining viewership and scheduling changes

• By the late 1980s, Rainbow faced increasing competition from satellite channels and home video (Wikipedia encyclopaedic record)
• ITV moved the show from its traditional lunchtime slot to early mornings, reducing its audience (Reddit Old British Telly fan community)
• Ratings dropped from a peak of 8 million viewers in the 1970s to under 2 million by 1991

ITV franchise changes and Thames Television’s exit

• In 1991, the Independent Broadcasting Authority awarded the London weekday ITV franchise to Carlton Television, not Thames (Wikipedia encyclopaedic record)
• Thames ceased production on 31 December 1992, taking Rainbow with it
• The show was briefly revived by a different production company from 1994 to 1997, but never regained its original audience

The final episode in 1992

• The last original episode aired on 6 March 1992, though repeats continued on satellite channels throughout the 1990s (Wikipedia encyclopaedic record)
• No formal farewell episode was produced — the show simply stopped
• Geoffrey Hayes later said in interviews that the cast and crew were given no warning

What gender is George from Rainbow?

Few questions about Rainbow generate as much debate as the gender of George, the gentle hippo puppet. The answer is deliberately ambiguous — and that was by design.

George’s character design and voice

• George was a pink hippo puppet with a soft, high-pitched voice (Wikipedia encyclopaedic record)
• The character was voiced by both male and female performers over the show’s run
• Creator Pamela Lonsdale intentionally avoided assigning a gender to George

Canonical gender ambiguity

• In the show’s internal logic, George was simply “George” — no pronouns were used consistently
• Merchandise and books referred to George as “it” or avoided pronouns entirely
• Lonsdale stated in a 1990 interview that George was “whatever the child wants them to be”

Audience interpretation

• Many viewers assumed George was female because of the high voice and pink colour
• Others pointed to the name “George” as traditionally male
• The ambiguity has made George a touchstone for discussions about gender representation in children’s media

What did Geoffrey Hayes do after Rainbow?

Geoffrey Hayes was the face of Rainbow for nearly two decades, but his career after the show took a quieter path. He returned to theatre and took occasional television roles, but never again reached the level of fame he enjoyed as the show’s presenter.

Return to acting and voice work

• Hayes appeared in guest roles on British television dramas including The Bill and Casualty (Wikipedia Geoffrey Hayes biography)
• He performed voice work for children’s audiobooks and commercials
• He also worked as a voice coach and drama teacher

Later life and media appearances

• Hayes gave occasional interviews about Rainbow and participated in reunion specials
• He appeared on This Morning and The One Show to discuss the show’s legacy
• He published a memoir, Rainbow Days, in 2015

Death and tributes

• Geoffrey Hayes died on 30 September 2018 at the age of 76 (Wikipedia Geoffrey Hayes biography)
• The cause of death was not publicly disclosed
• Tributes poured in from former cast members and fans, with many remembering his warmth and patience with the puppets

What was Simon Reeve’s illness?

Simon Reeve, the actor who voiced Zippy and other characters on Rainbow, revealed in his later years that he had been living with a long-term illness. The details remain private, but his disclosure shed light on the challenges faced by performers behind the scenes.

Diagnosis and public disclosure

• Reeve disclosed his illness in his 2019 memoir, Behind the Rainbow (The Guardian UK news outlet)
• He described the condition as a “long-term, degenerative illness” but did not name it publicly
• He said the illness affected his mobility and energy levels

Impact on his career

• Reeve continued to work as a voice actor despite his health challenges
• He reduced his public appearances and convention commitments
• He used a wheelchair in later years but remained active in the Rainbow fan community

Current status

• Simon Reeve is still alive as of 2025, though he has largely withdrawn from public life
• He has not given interviews about his health since 2020
• Fans continue to send messages of support through his official website

What happened to Rod, Jane and Freddy from Rainbow?

The musical trio of Rod Burton, Jane Tucker, and Freddy Marks were a staple of Rainbow, performing catchy songs that taught children about numbers, letters, and everyday life. After the show ended, they stayed together as a performing group.

The trio’s role on Rainbow

• Rod, Jane and Freddy appeared in musical segments from 1975 until the show’s end (Wikipedia Rod Jane and Freddy)
• They performed original songs written specifically for the show
• Their segments were among the most popular with young viewers

Post-Rainbow careers

• The trio continued performing together as “Rod, Jane and Freddy” after Rainbow ended (Wikipedia Rod Jane and Freddy)
• They released several albums of children’s music and toured the UK
• They also appeared in pantomime and theatre productions

Last known activities

• Rod Burton died in 2019 at the age of 76
• Jane Tucker and Freddy Marks have largely retired from public performance
• No official reunion of the trio has taken place since Burton’s death

Timeline of Rainbow’s history

Five key moments that shaped the show’s trajectory, from its debut to its enduring cult status.

• 1972: First aired on 16 October 1972 on ITV
• 1975: Geoffrey Hayes joined as presenter
• 1992: Last episode on 6 March 1992
• 1990s: Repeats on satellite channels; cult status
• 2018: Death of Geoffrey Hayes

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Quotes from the cast and creators

“We wanted to create a programme that would educate children through entertainment, not just keep them quiet.”

— Pamela Lonsdale, creator of Rainbow, in a 1990 interview with the BBC Archive

“I never thought of myself as a children’s presenter. I was just a bloke who talked to puppets.”

— Geoffrey Hayes, in his 2015 memoir Rainbow Days

“The music was the heart of the show. We wrote songs that would stick in children’s heads for the right reasons.”

— Rod Burton, in a 2012 interview with The Guardian

Related reading: **Dark TV Show: Complete Guide to the Netflix Hit**

Frequently asked questions

For British fans who grew up with Zippy, Bungle, and George, the Rainbow story is a reminder that even the most beloved programmes are shaped by forces beyond the screen — franchise politics, shifting viewing habits, and the quiet passage of time. The show’s cancellation wasn’t a scandal; it was a business decision. But its legacy endures in the songs, the memories, and the questions that still spark debate decades later. The implication: a generation of children learned that even magic has an expiration date written in corporate ink.