Beloved illustrator and television creator Daniel Postgate, known for his warm storytelling and his work on classic British children’s programming, was found dead earlier this year at his home in Whitstable, England. The 61-year-old BAFTA-winning writer had spent decades bringing imagination, color, and comfort to young viewers, making the news of his death all the more heartbreaking for colleagues, fans, and family.
An inquest held months later revealed that a letter Daniel received shortly before his death had weighed heavily on him, arriving at a time when he was facing profound personal and medical challenges.
Health Struggles and Personal Turmoil
Following the end of a 35-year relationship, Postgate was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a serious form of blood cancer. This came on top of earlier health issues; in 2019 he had undergone intensive treatment for aplastic anaemia, enduring difficult cycles of therapy that left lasting physical and emotional impacts.
Evidence shared during the inquest showed that Daniel had already completed one round of chemotherapy and was deeply worried that his illness might not be treatable. His handwritten note to loved ones expressed both fear and resignation, hinting at the emotional burden he had been carrying.
The Letter That Weighed Heavily on Him
According to testimony, Daniel received a letter from the National Health Service (NHS) just one day before his death. Relatives believe the letter caused significant distress. In the note he left behind, Daniel referenced this correspondence, and his family said he was someone who would have “researched every word,” dwelling on every detail and implication.
For those closest to him, the timing and tone of the letter appeared to have deepened his anxieties, becoming—according to his family—“the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
A Long History of Emotional Struggle
Daniel’s brother, Simon, spoke with him two days before his death. Although Daniel seemed conversational and relatively calm, Simon said that his brother’s lifelong struggle with depression made it difficult to understand his true emotional state. He shared that Daniel had lived with underlying depression for roughly 40 years, and although he sensed that something was troubling him, he could not know the full extent of it.
Coroner’s Findings
Coroner Sarah Clarke ruled that Daniel had taken his own life, noting that the letter he left clearly indicated his intentions and his wish not to undergo continued treatment. She described the loss as one that families often struggle to fully comprehend and said there was no evidence pointing to another explanation for his actions.
A Lasting Creative Legacy
Daniel Postgate made an indelible mark on British children’s media. In 2008 he took over Smallfilms, the production company founded by his father, Oliver Postgate, and Peter Firmin. Smallfilms is responsible for some of the most iconic children’s television classics, including Bagpuss, a program cherished across generations.
In 2015, Bagpuss earned a BAFTA Children’s Award, and Daniel himself received a nomination for Best Writer the following year. At the time of his death, he had been working on a new Bagpuss film, scheduled for release in 2027—a project that reflected his ongoing dedication to preserving and expanding his father’s creative legacy.
Following his passing, Smallfilms released a heartfelt tribute, remembering him as a gentle, generous soul whose work and spirit profoundly shaped the company. The statement described him as a “lovely, kind man” who would be “hugely missed by everyone who knew him.”
A Community Mourning a Gentle Storyteller
Daniel Postgate is remembered not only for his artistic contributions but for the warmth and kindness he brought into every aspect of his work. His stories reached millions of homes, offering comfort, adventure, and imagination to children across the UK and beyond. His loss leaves a deep void among fans, friends, and family, all of whom continue to mourn a man whose creativity and gentle nature left a lasting legacy.