DS Icon: Zippy from 'Rainbow'

Rainbow, like most children's TV shows from the '70s and '80s, was often ruined by tiresome morals and educational interludes. Whether it was Geoffrey Hayes preaching about sharing or Rod, Jane and Freddy singing twee tunes about everyone being great friends, there was always an uncomfortable extra-curricular element to the Thames TV hit. However, the show's saving grace came in the shape of an orange glove puppet with a rugby ball for a head. Although not often credited with it, Zippy was probably one of the country's first true punk icons. He took no notice of traditional rules of behaviour, gladly shouting and misbehaving on primetime kids TV - he even had a metal piercing (the infamous zip) on his mouth.

While Bungle flapped around, gossiping and telling tales, Zippy told it straight and didn't care if he got into trouble. George was a fussbag, snitch and dilly-dallier who needed to pull himself together. Zippy was a cocksure, rock star puppet who didn't play by the rules. Bungle was a bear, George was a camp pink hippo, but Zippy was unique - he was a one-off. These days he'd probably not even make it past the Ofcom regulators and PC brigade, but Zippy was a true inspiration for children who didn't want to spend their valuable TV time being educated. For that alone, DS salutes Zippy!

Click along our gallery to see pictures of the legendary Zippy and his Rainbow posse.