A children’s TV actor who claimed that he injured himself in a “faulty” animatronic suit and suffered homophobic abuse lost his case for unfair dismissal yesterday.

Isaac Blake, 28, lost four out of five claims against Ragdoll Productions. The company employed him as a colourful Tombliboo character in the children’s series In the Night Garden, which is narrated by Derek Jacobi. He claimed unfair dismissal after it terminated his contract at the end of May 2006.

Mr Blake, a trained dancer from Cardiff, claimed that he was dismissed for complaining about a “faulty” animatronic suit that he was obliged to wear, and that he suffered homophobic abuse. His claims of unfair dismissal, that he was sacked for raising health and safety issues, and that he was victimised by being sacked for raising homophobic abuse allegations were dismissed.

The tribunal found in Mr Blake’s favour over claims that he was twice called “faggot”. He was awarded £2,000.

The panel made recommendations to Ragdoll that it provide performers with documents on equal opportunities, conduct and the use of language.

Marcus Difelice, representing Ragdoll Productions, criticised Mr Blake’s evidence and said that the termination of his contract had nothing to do with his having raised health and safety issues. He said: “Essentially, it was really a loss of confidence in the performer.”

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