TV star Freddy Marks has died aged 71.
The musician and TV presenter was best known for hosting the popular children’s TV show Rainbow alongside Jane Tucker and Rod Burton. The series ran from 1972 to 1992.
Mr Marks’s death was announced in a post on a Rainbow Facebook group.
It read: “It is with a heavy heart that we sad [sic] to say that ‘Freddy Marks’ from Rod, Jane and Freddy has sadly passed away yesterday (27 May).”
“Freddy was a very talented and funny guy who always bought a smile to everybody’s face. Our thoughts go out to his wife Jane Tucker, Rod Burton and all their friends and family at this difficult time. Freddy will be greatly missed.”
Ms Tucker told MailOnline her final words to him were: “I love you” before he lost a battle against cancer on the eve of their 5th wedding anniversary.
He died in Princess Alice Hospice in Esher, Surrey on May 20 after being admitted just four days earlier, MailOnline reported. He was diagnosed with cancer in January and told that he had only months to live, according to reports.
Thames TV production company, which originally aired Rainbow, paid tribute to the star on Instagram.
They said: “The sad news has been announced today of the death of Freddy Marks from the classic children’s TV show Rainbow’s Rod, Jane and Freddy.”
Many took to social media to honour the star.
“A huge part of many people's childhoods. RIP Freddy Marks,” wrote one while another said: “Very sad to hear about the death of Freddy Marks.”
Mr Marks was born in 1949 in Birkenhead, Cheshire.
He rose to prominence when he replaced Roger Walker on Rainbow in 1979 and became a third member of the show alongside Jane Burton and Rod Tucker.
Following the success of Rainbow, the trio went on to star in their own spin-off series called The Rod, Jane, and Freddy Show, which ran on ITV from 1981 to 1991.
Mr Marks’s death comes five years after he married co-star Jane Tucker.
The couple began dating in 1985 and married in May 2016 at Claridge’s Hotel.
