The Legacy of Teletubbies: The Baby Sun’s Journey

4 mins read
teletubbies child stars

Jessica Smith, the actress who played the smiling baby sun in Teletubbies, has recently become a mother and continues to share personal moments with her followers. Her lucky casting was due to a chance encounter at a hospital where the production team noticed her bubbly smile. The enduring impact of Teletubbies reflects its cultural relevance even years after its original run, with the beaming, laughing baby sun being one of its most memorable features.

Who played the baby sun in Teletubbies?

Jessica Smith played the role of the smiling baby sun in Teletubbies from 1997 until 2003. Her lucky casting was due to a chance encounter at a hospital, where the production team noticed her bubbly smile. Smith has since become a mother and continues to share personal moments with her followers. The enduring impact of Teletubbies reflects its cultural relevance even years after its original run.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Teletubbies, the children’s television show, has left an indelible mark on all who grew up watching it. Its combination of playful silliness, humor suitable for the very young, and brilliant, dreamlike imagery distinguished it apart from its contemporaries. The beaming, laughing baby sun is one of its most memorable features – a character that was wonderfully portrayed by Jessica Smith, who was then an unknown entity. Today, Smith has stepped into another role, not in front of the camera, but in real life – she has become a mother.

The Teletubbies Sun Baby: From TV Star to Motherhood

Jessica Smith, known by millions for lighting up their TV screens as the baby sun in Teletubbies, has recently become a mother for the first time. Her partner, Ricky Latham, and she have just welcomed their first baby. The joyous news was shared by the former child actress through an endearing post on her social media page, affectionately captioned, “One whole week of you.”

In a later post, Smith revealed the name of her baby daughter, introducing her to the world as “Poppy Rae Latham.” Although Smith has stepped back from the public eye, she continues to share these deeply personal moments of her life journey with her followers.

From A Hospital Visit to Worldwide Stardom

The story of Jessica Smith’s life is a tribute to the unpredictable and fortunate nature of the showbiz world. When she was just around nine months old, she was proposed to the production team of Teletubbies. After a thorough audition, she got selected for the role of the smiling sun – a role she played throughout the entire run of the show, from 1997 until 2003. Her presence in each of the 365 episodes made her an intrinsic part of the show’s legacy.

Interestingly, it was by sheer coincidence that Smith got selected for the part. In a 2017 interview with BBC South East, Smith described the lucky chain of events that led to her casting. She was at the hospital for a regular checkup when the producer of the show happened to be there. Enchanted by baby Jessica’s bubbly smile, they asked the hospital to recommend her for any auditions requiring smiley babies. This chance encounter changed the course of her life and career.

Enduring Impact and Embracing New Roles

Despite the temporary nature of her tenure as the Teletubbies sun baby, it left a profound impact on Smith’s life. She has often expressed her surprise and gratitude for the love and affection she continues to receive from fans around the globe, long after Teletubbies finished its original run. The heartwarming stories and messages she gets from viewers who grew up watching her deeply touch her, reflecting the lasting cultural relevance of the show.

As Smith embarks on this new adventure of motherhood, it feels like her life has come a full circle. From being the cherished baby sun that lit up the world of Teletubbies, she now cradles her own bundle of joy: her daughter, Poppy. In this new phase, Smith’s narrative continues to evolve, reflecting the interconnected lives, roles undertaken, and new responsibilities embraced.

Who is Jessica Smith?

Jessica Smith is an actress who played the role of the baby sun in the children’s television show Teletubbies. She was cast in the role at just nine months old after a chance encounter between the production team and her at a hospital. Smith played the role from 1997 until 2003.

How did Jessica Smith get cast as the baby sun in Teletubbies?

Jessica Smith was proposed to the production team of Teletubbies when she was just nine months old. She was selected for the role of the baby sun after a thorough audition process. Interestingly, Smith’s casting was the result of a chance encounter at a hospital where the production team noticed her bubbly smile.

What is the enduring impact of Teletubbies?

Teletubbies has left an indelible mark on all who grew up watching it. Its playful silliness, humor suitable for the very young, and brilliant, dreamlike imagery distinguished it apart from its contemporaries. The beaming, laughing baby sun is one of its most memorable features, reflecting the lasting cultural relevance of the show.

Who is Jessica Smith’s partner and child?

Jessica Smith’s partner is Ricky Latham, and she has just become a mother for the first time. Smith and Latham have welcomed their first baby, a daughter named Poppy Rae Latham.

How does Jessica Smith embrace her new role as a mother?

Jessica Smith continues to share deeply personal moments of her life journey with her followers, even though she has stepped back from the public eye. As she embarks on this new adventure of motherhood, it feels like her life has come a full circle. From being the cherished baby sun that lit up the world of Teletubbies, she now cradles her own bundle of joy: her daughter, Poppy.

How did Jessica Smith’s casting as the baby sun in Teletubbies change the course of her life and career?

Jessica Smith’s casting as the baby sun in Teletubbies was the result of a chance encounter at a hospital. This opportunity changed the course of her life and career, as she played the role throughout the entire run of the show. Despite the temporary nature of her tenure as the Teletubbies sun baby, it left a profound impact on Smith’s life, reflecting the interconnected lives, roles undertaken, and new responsibilities embraced.

Emma Botha is a Cape Town-based journalist who chronicles the city’s shifting social-justice landscape for the Mail & Guardian, tracing stories from Parliament floor to Khayelitsha kitchen tables. Born and raised on the slopes of Devil’s Peak, she still hikes Lion’s Head before deadline days to remind herself why the mountain and the Mother City will always be her compass.

Previous Story

The Ocean’s Audacious Predator: Starboard the Orca’s Novel Hunting Strategy

Next Story

South Africa: A Rising Power in the Global Outsourcing Wave

Latest from Blog

A Teenager in a White Coat: How One Student Shattered South Africa’s Medical Age Record

{“summary”: “Imagine a whiz kid, David Obagbuwa, who started high school at 11 and became a doctor at just 21! He shattered South Africa’s medical age record, proving that a sharp mind and hard work can achieve amazing things. From classrooms in KwaZuluNatal to intense medical studies, David tackled every challenge. Even during lockdown, he quickly mastered his courses. Now, he’s ready to help people, showing that big dreams can come true, no matter how young you are.”}

Martian Dust, Carbon ankles & a R4-million Promise: Inside the 2026 Cape Epic’s Mobility Rebellion

Get ready for the 2026 Cape Epic, but this isn’t just any bike race! Three special teams, using amazing robotic legs and carbon ankles, will tackle the tough trails. They’re racing to raise R4 million to buy 200 new prosthetic limbs, 150 wheelchairs, and 50 sports blades for people in South Africa who need them. Every pedal stroke helps someone gain freedom and move again, showing that movement is for everyone, not just a few. This epic journey turns sweat into hope, changing lives one kilometer at a time.

Cape Town’s Shadow State: How Extortion Became the New Township Taxman

Cape Town has a big problem: bad guys are shaking down businesses and projects for money. They act like “taxmen” in townships, making building costs shoot up and forcing small shops to close. These criminals cause fear, stop important work, and even kill people who get in their way. It’s like a shadow government taking over, making life hard for everyone and costing the city tons of money. People are scared, and it’s unclear how this dangerous situation will ever truly end.

The Woman Who Taught Cape Town to Breathe Under Fire

Arlene Wehr taught Cape Town how to fight fires like a boss! She was one of the first women firefighters and totally changed the game. Arlene created cool new ways to find water, like “Operation Liquid Grid,” and made sure everyone had a chance to become a firefighter, even women. Because of her, Cape Town is safer, and the fire department is much more welcoming to all.

Morea House: Where the Atlantic Meets Art, Granite and Ghost-Nets

Morea House is Cape Town’s first fancy Marriott hotel, born from an old 1960s building. It shines with blushpink walls and art made from old fishing nets, making it feel truly special. This hotel is all about local beauty, from its design to its food, and even how it saves the planet. Imagine rooftop pools, unique spa experiences, and rooms where you wake up to amazing views. It’s a place where every detail tells a story of the ocean and the land, making your stay unforgettable.