Thunderbirds creator, Gerry Anderson, has died aged 83. The television pioneer died today according to his son Jamie.

The television pioneer, who had been suffering from demetia, was known the world over as the producer of such landmark shows as Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and Space:1999

London-born Anderson pioneered the making of programmes using marionettes, branding it Supermarionation.

His son Jamie said he was diagnosed with mixed dementia two years ago and his condition worsened quite dramatically over the past six months. Having already decided with his family on a care home for himself earlier this year, he moved in there in October.

His last producer credit came in 2005 on New Captain Scarlet, a CGI-animated re-imagining of his 1967 Supermarionation series, which premiered on ITV in the UK. Most recently he worked as a consultant on a Hollywood remake of his 1969 series UFO.

He also worked as a celebrity ambassador for The Alzheimer’s Society, helping to raise awareness of the disease and much-needed funds for the society.

He leaves three children from former marriages, Joy, Linda and Gerry Junior, his son Jamie and widow Mary.