Dave Thompson (comedian)

{{Short description|British comedian}}

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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Dave Thompson

| image = Dave Thompson standup comedian.jpg

| caption = Dave Thompson performing at Downstairs at the Kings Head, a stand-up comedy venue in Crouch End, North London

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|6|30|df=y}}

| birth_place = Bristol, England

| occupation = Actor, stand-up comedian, writer

| years_active = 1979–present

| notable_works = Teletubbies

| website = {{URL|http://www.davethompson.org.uk/}}

}}

Dave Thompson (born 30 June 1959) is an English actor, stand-up comedian and writer, who made headlines in July 1997 after being removed from the role of Tinky Winky in the children's television series, Teletubbies after 70 episodes. The BBC said in a letter to Thompson that his "interpretation of the role was not acceptable".{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/tantrums-in-teletubbyland-as-tinky-winky-gets-the-elbow-1252775.html |last=Thorpe |first=Vanessa |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 July 1997 |title=Tantrums in Teletubbyland as Tinky Winky gets the elbow |access-date=1 July 2019}}{{cite news |url=http://www.earthlydelights.co.uk/netnews/tinky2.html |title=interview with a teletubby |work=earthlydelights.co.uk |page=2 |access-date=1 July 2019 |author=Network News |author-link=Network News |year=2010}}

Thompson recounted bursting into tears upon learning the news of his termination. In interviews, he supposed that the dubbing of his voice, unlike the other actors, was an indication of dissatisfaction over his performance.{{cite news |last=Kitterick |first=Bernadette |title=I burst into tears, says axed Teletubby |newspaper=Bristol Evening Post |page=5 |date=30 July 1997}}

Thompson later appeared in the 2000 Ben Elton film Maybe Baby as Dave the Comedian/Mrs. Furblob. He also appeared in Harry Hill's live tour Hooves as the minor characters of the Horse, the ballboy and the Greek man who grabs Harry's neck. Thompson also made appearances in each night of Hill's Hooves tour.