Teletubbies' Sun Baby All Grown Up: Jess Smith and Daughter Appear on This Morning
A nostalgic trip down memory lane took place on Tuesday's This Morning as Jess Smith, the original Sun Baby from the iconic children's show *Teletubbies*, appeared on the programme alongside her own child.
The now 30-year-old Smith was just nine months old when she was cast in the role, gracing the screen for 365 episodes between 1997 and 2001. Joining her on the show were fellow *Teletubbies
stars Nikky Smedley, who played Laa-Laa, and John Simmit, known as Dipsy. Smith also brought along her five-month-old daughter, Poppy, who she shares with long-term partner Ricky Latham.
During the interview, Smith shared how she got the part, revealing it was a chance encounter at the hospital. "I was being weighed at the hospital," she explained, "Apparently, I was a crybaby at the time. The only way my mum could settle me was to take me to the hospital for the midwives, and that was the furthest point in the village, so that's where she took me. And the producer had been in the same day and asked to forward any baby names. So, that's what happened, and I believe it was a mini audition and then, yeah, got the part."
The hosts, Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle, playfully suggested that Poppy might follow in her mother's footsteps and become the Sun Baby in the upcoming reboot. Smith responded enthusiastically, "We'd absolutely go for it. Absolutely. It would be so nice to see her on my role from when I was little. Just to take over my legacy."
Viewers couldn't help but express their astonishment at Smith's transition from a giggling baby to a mother herself, with many taking to social media to share their reactions. Comments like "The sun baby is all grown up and has a baby of her own. I feel ancient" and "The baby had a baby now I feel old" flooded Twitter. Others were surprised at how little Smith had changed, noting that "You can't tell that woman was the Tellytubby baby at all."
Smith welcomed Poppy Rae Latham in mid-January, initially keeping the baby's gender a secret on Instagram. However, she later revealed that Poppy's middle name, "Rae," was a possible nod to her "ray" of sunshine role as the Sun Baby.
Smith's appearance on This Morning served as a reminder of the lasting impact of the *Teletubbies
and how a chance encounter can lead to a truly unforgettable childhood memory. It also offered a glimpse into the life of the original Sun Baby, now a mother herself, continuing the legacy of the beloved children's show.
