Beloved illustrator and BAFTA-winning television legend Daniel Postgate was found dead in a shed connected to his home in Whitstable, England, in June. Now, it’s been revealed that he received a devastating letter just a day before he was found deceased.
61-year-old Daniel Postgate was found dead in his shed at his home in Whitstable, England, in June. He was 61 years old. The Bafta-winning producer had just split from his partner of 35 years. Per The Sun, he was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome – a form of blood cancer – shortly after.
An inquest showed that Postgate had undergone gruelling treatment for aplastic anaemia in 2019. He left a letter for his family explaining how he had received a letter from the National Health Service (NHS) regarding his diagnosis.
His family told officers that Daniel would have “researched every word of what was in the leter,” and that it contributed to his decision to take his own life.
His family told the inquest it “was the straw that broke the camel’s back”.
BAFTA-winning writer Daniel Postgate dead at 61
Daniel Postgate had already received one cycle of chemotherapy. He told his family that he was “afraid my illness can’t be cured,” which he shared in a handwritten note.
“I hope you all have wonderful lives, and remember to love each other,” he wrote.
Just two days before his passing, Daniel’s brother, Simon, spoke to him. The brother told the court, “I think he had something in mind, but I don’t know for certain. He was able to communicate and was quite chatty and fairly relaxed, but he had underlying depression for about 40 years. It was sometimes difficult to tell what frame of mind he was in.”
Coroner Sarah Clarke told the Daily Mail she believed Mr Postgate had taken his own life.
“I always say to family, I don’t think it’s a question [why a person has died by suicide] that can ever be answered. He tells me he’s undertaking a deliberate act. He doesn’t want to endure the ongoing treatment. I would be wrong to find another reason [for Daniel’s death].”
Daniel Postgate took over production company Smallfilms in Blean, Canterbury, in 2008 after his father’s passing. They had made beloved children’s TV shows such as Bagpuss, which won a BAFTA British Academy Children’s Award in 2015. The year after, Postgate was nominated for Best Writer.
“Absolutely heartbroken”
Recently, he had worked to bring Bagpuss to the big screen in 2027. Smallfilms posted a tribute following Daniel’s death.
“I am absolutely heartbroken to have to inform you of the passing of my dear friend and custodian of all things Smallfilms Daniel Postgate. He was a lovely, kind man and will be hugely missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
Rest in peace, Daniel Postgata. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
