Tony Hart - BBC TV Artist - Official Website

There were 260 x 30 minute episodes of Vision On, all made at BBC Bristol and the series ran from 1964 to 1976. It was a revamped version of a 1950s programme called "For Deaf Children" and was hosted and signed by Pat Keysell. -

Tony Hart - 1925-2009

Tony Hart, best known for his work with the BBC as a television artist in a variety of programmes including 'Vision On', 'Smart Hart' and 'Hartbeat' has died at the age of 83.

Speaking to the BBC in 1996, Tony said: "I hope I've achieved the sort of programme that entertains first, and maybe surprises, informs, and amuses, and that people don't just forget that but in the backs of their minds think "perhaps I'll have a go at that one day"

Tony Hart's television career spanned 50 years. He was involved with a number of charity auction events each year, made regular guest appearances on TV and Radio and gave a lot of his time helping various children's charities. In 1984 his BBC programme, "Take Hart", won a BAFTA (British Oscar) and Tony himself received a 'Lifetime Achievement' award in 1998.

The music you can hear is is called 'Marguerite' by Bob Morgan, and used for the Gallery music in 'Take Hart'. Our eternal gratitude to Bob, Zoot Music and KPM for special permission to use it. Marguerite was composed by Bob to mark a very personal loss of his own. The significance is not lost here.

So What is This About?

Tony inspired several generations of children to be creative with the minimum of materials and some went on to become artists in their own right. Yet more of us encouraged our own children to be creative because Tony showed us how important it was. His legacy is enormous. The heartfelt words posted by his fans in the remembrance book demonstrate just how much Tony was loved - by all ages.

In those early days of television he did it using cornflakes packaging, and other household materials readily available to even the poorest child. Tony made it look so easy that it seemed like – hey, anyone can be an artist, and art became interesting, and a fun thing to do.

That’s what we loved most about Tony Hart - those quiet moments during which he inspired so many of us - we could just take a few felt tip pens or crayons, even a biro, and create something - all on our own. What better gift than that.

Tony Hart - 1925 to 2009