Beloved children’s TV star Steve Hodson has died at the age of 77 after a long illness.

The British actor memorably starred as horseman Steve Ross in the much-loved children’s TV show Follyfoot, and also appeared in All Creatures Great and Small.

His death was announced by a Follyfoot fan page on Facebook, who confirmed his daughter Jessica had been in touch with the sad news.

The post said Hodson pᴀssed away after a battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a progressive lung disease which makes it difficult to breathe. 

It read: ‘We have had a very sad update from Steve Hodson’s daughter Jessica. Steve pᴀssed away last night after a long battle with COPD.

‘That’s one brighter star you’ll see in the heavens from now on. Much love to all his family at this awful time. So sad.’

Beloved children’s TV star Steve Hodson, best known for starring in Follyfoot (pictured), has died at the age of 77 after a long illness

Fans were quick to take to the comments section to praise the TV star for bringing audiences so much joy as they paid tribute to him.

Comments included: ‘Sleep easy, Steve. You gave us so much enjoyment. Sincerest condolences to Steve’s dear ones’;

‘Such sad news. Follyfoot was my favourite series back in my school days. I have all the DVDs of the series. RIP Steve’;

‘RIP Steve. You bought joy to many people’; ‘The love of my youth!! Sleep easy’; ‘Such sad news of a great actor’;

‘Oh my gosh…. Sad news indeed. So him and Ron gone now. I used to kind of fancy Steve on Follyfoot’;

‘That’s very sad news. Watched 2 Follyfoot episodes last week, where Steve goes in search of his Mother. Some fine acting. Condolences to his family and friends, so sad.’ 

Follyfoot, recognised for its famous theme song The Lightning Tree, follows three young people working at a horse rescue centre.

It ran for three series from 1971 until 1973 and Hodson starred alongside Gillian Blake, Arthur English, Christian Rodska and Desmond Llewelyn, among others.

The British actor memorably starred as Steve Ross in the children’s TV show Follyfoot (second left, with co-stars Arthur English, Christian Rodska, Desmond Llewelyn and Gillian Blake) 

Hodson pᴀssed away after a battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a progressive lung disease which makes it difficult to breathe (he is pictured on Follyfoot) 

It was inspired by the 1963 Monica Dickens novel Cobbler’s Dream and attracted up to 14million viewers of all ages, despite being billed as a children’s TV show.

Though he rose to huge acclaim in the role, Hodson was initially turned down when he interviewed for the role of Steve in 1971, with another actor being cast.

However, when the original star was later dismissed, Hodson landed the part and quickly became a household name on the Yorkshire-based series.

In 2011, Hodson admitted he had ‘no idea’ what his role meant to fans as he nostalgically toured filming locations to mark Follyfoot’s 40th anniversary.

‘I had no idea what it meant to the fans. They remembered so much more about it than we did,’ he told The Guardian at the time.

‘At the end my daughters said to me, ”We knew you’d been famous in a children’s television series, but we never knew the extent. We’ve got a whole new respect for you, Pops!” Suddenly they realised what it all had meant.’

Hodson was born on November 5, 1974, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, and was raised by his parents Rene and Tom Hodson before rising to fame on TV screens.

He attended Belle Vue grammar school and worked in the civil service before deciding to move to London after taking drama classes at Bradford Playhouse.

It ran for three series from 1971 until 1973 and Hodson starred alongside Gillian Blake, who played the leading role of Dora (both pictured)

In 2011, Hodson (pictured on the show in 1973) admitted he had ‘no idea’ what his role meant to fans as he nostalgically toured filming locations to mark Follyfoot’s 40th anniversary

Hodson then studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama from 1967 until 1970, which was when he also learnt to ride horses in Wimbledon, south-west London – a skill that proved more than useful on Follyfoot.

He made his TV debut as an arms dealer in a 1971 episode of drama series Hine, before securing his big break.

After rising to fame on Follyfoot, Hodson released a pop single тιтled Crystal Bay, which was written by Maurice Gibb and Billy Lawrie.

However, the 1973 track never hit the charts and Hodson returned to his acting roots, taking on several character roles.

He took on a small role as Trooper Raven in BBC series All Creatures Great and Small in the 1980s, and was also a regular on children’s show The Legend of King Arthur.

He also nabbed other acting credits in Hazell, Angels, A Horseman Riding By, Enemy at the Door and Juliet Bravo.

However, after deciding that the limelight wasn’t for him, Hodson moved into radio and worked as an integral part of the BBC for almost 40 years until he retired in 2011.

He admitted it was ‘nice to be away from the cameras’ and became a highly-sought-after reader of audiobooks.

Hodson also used his talents to feature as a string of supporting characters in radio dramas, and took on the role of Rupert Lovell in radio serial Waggoners’ Walk.

Hodson is survived by his ex-wife Rosamund Rooth, their two daughters Jessica and Eleanor, and his granddaughter Cleo. 

WHAT IS CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) describes a group of lung conditions that cause the airways to narrow and become inflamed.

Examples include bronchitis, which affects the airways, and emphysema, which impacts the air sacs. 

This makes it harder to move air in and out as you breathe.

Around 1.2million people in the UK are diagnosed with COPD, British Lung Foundation statistics show. 

And in the US, 16million people suffer from COPD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

It usually develops due to long-term damage to the lungs from smoking or air pollution.

Jobs where people are exposed to fumes, dust and chemicals also raise the risk. 

COPD also seems to run in families.

And a rare genetic condition called alpha-1-anтιтrypsin deficiency makes people susceptible at a very young age.  

Symptoms include:

Breathlessness during day-to-day activities, like walkingPersistent coughWheezing in cold weatherProducing excess phlegm

In severe cases, sufferers lose their appeтιтe, have swollen ankles, lose weight and may even cough up blood. 

COPD is incurable and the damage to the lungs cannot be reversed. 

However, treatments can help make breathing easier. 

Patients should also quit smoking and maintain a healthy weight.