Tributes have been paid to Carlo Bonomi, the man who voiced Pingu in the acclaimed TV series, who has died at the age of 85.
Bonomi, who hailed from Milan, lent his voice to the claymation penguin from 1986 until 1999. As well as voicing the cheeky penguin from the South Pole, the Italian voice actor also played the entire cast in earlier episodes.
Even though Pingu never uttered any words that made sense - his iconic sound was 'noot, noot' - generations of children around the world fell in love with the bold little penguin, his friends, and their adventures around Antarctica.
Among those paying tribute was US cartoonist Travis Bickerstaf, who said on social media: "R.I.P Carlo Bonomi, the original voice of Pingu. 1937-2022. The noot noot will live on."
Another Twitter user added: "Pingu was one of the best childhood shows, not only for me but around the whole world as well. Rest In Peace Carlo."
As well as voicing Pingu for four seasons, Bonomi also did the announcements at Milan's Central Station and Florence Santa Maria Novella Station. He also worked on a number of Italian films, including the animated La Linea.
The cause of death has not been revealed.
