The seemingly innocent British children's television program "Rainbow," which aired from 1972, was reportedly rife with backstage drama, including allegations of sexism, a pervasive drinking culture, and personal jealousies among its cast. These details emerged from revelations by Ronnie Le Drew, the puppeteer behind the character Zippy, who passed away in 2024.
In his 2019 autobiography, "Zippy and Me: My Life Inside Britain's Most Infamous Puppet," Le Drew described a working environment that stood in stark contrast to the show's wholesome on-screen image. He detailed instances of sexism, citing a props man who allegedly made lewd comments about the show's director, Pamela Lonsdale, referring to her with derogatory nicknames.
Le Drew also claimed that the show's environment included heavy drinking, with cast members sometimes arriving at rehearsals intoxicated. He recounted a specific incident where an archbishop, touring the studios, reportedly stumbled upon a scene involving puppets in suggestive positions.
Personal relationships among the cast also generated drama. Jane Tucker, the show's singer, was married to two of her co-stars: Rod Burton, whom she divorced, and later Freddy Marks, who died shortly after their marriage. Le Drew alleged that Tucker had a provocative nickname and would make suggestive remarks.
Host Geoffrey Hayes reportedly experienced jealousy towards the puppet characters, Zippy and George, fearing he would be upstaged. Le Drew wrote that Hayes was concerned about receiving less fan mail than the puppets.
Beyond interpersonal conflicts, Le Drew's book also touched on the physical demands of the job. The previous puppeteer for Zippy, Violet Philpott, left the show after the first season due to a back injury sustained from holding an awkward position to operate the puppet through windows.
"Rainbow" concluded its run in 1992. Le Drew, who joined the show in 1974, later pursued other careers, including working as a supermarket shelf stacker and a taxi driver. He had previously stated that his time on "Rainbow" was the "happiest 20 years of my life."
In 2015, the show faced scrutiny when a pastor accused it of containing hidden homosexual messages, a claim that garnered media attention. The program also had notable encounters, including meeting Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at a children's party in Hyde Park in 1979. During this event, Prince Philip reportedly reacted with amusement to a portrait of the Queen that depicted her with a darkened face.