Kenny Baker has passed away

Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in the Star Wars films has died at the age of 83 after a long illness.

He played R2 in six of the Star Wars films, and played an additional role in 1983’s Return of the Jedi as Paploo, the Ewok. He also starred in The Elephant Man, Time Bandits, Willow, Flash Gordon, Amadeus and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth.

His niece, Abigail Shield, paid tribute to her uncle. She told the Guardian “It was expected, but it’s sad nonetheless. He had a very long and fulfilled life. He brought lots of happiness to people and we’ll be celebrating the fact that he was well loved throughout the world. We’re all very proud of what he achieved in his lifetime.”

“When he was a child, he was told that he probably wouldn’t survive through puberty, being a little person in those times, they didn’t have a very good life expectancy. He did extremely well in his life. He was very ill for the last few years so we had been expecting it. He had been looked after by one of his nephews, who found him on Saturday morning.”

My Mum and Dad met him years ago while on holiday. They said he was a lovely man. He chatted with everyone and danced the night away.

A legend has passed away. He will be missed.