Rainbow presenter Geoffrey Hayes dies aged 76

Geoffrey Hayes, who hosted long-running children's programme Rainbow, has died aged 76. The actor and TV presenter's manager, Phil Dale, said in a statement, 'It is with great sadness that the family announce that Geoffrey passed away in hospital with his wife, Sarah, and son, Tom, by his side.

'Geoffrey Hayes (born 13 March 1942) was an English television presenter and actor, best known as the host of Thames Television's top-rated children's show Rainbow, and for his portrayal of Detective Constable Scatliff in the successful TV Series Z Cars for the BBC.'

The statement continued, 'The family would like to express their thanks to the many fans over the years as it always gave Geoffrey so much pleasure to know that he and his Rainbow team had given so much fun to TV and theatre audiences over the years.

'There will be no further comment at the moment and it would be appreciated if the privacy of Geoffrey's family is respected at this most difficult time.'

Geoffrey Hayes presented Rainbow on ITV from 1974 until 1992.

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