Thunderbirds (TV series) by ITV, Sylvia Anderson and the estate of Gerry Anderson. "Thunderbirds" has influenced TV programmes, films and various other media. The puppet comedy of the film "" was directly inspired by the idiosyncrasies of "Thunderbirds"-era Supermarionation techniques. Allusion and homage are also evident in "Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave", "" and "Spaced", as well as the character design of "". The BBC sketch comedy "Not Only... But Also" included a segment titled "Superthunderstingcar" – a parody of "Thunderbirds", "Supercar" and "Stingray". IR's life-saving mission inspired the founding of the volunteer International Rescue Corps, originally made up of a group
Gerry Anderson (broadcaster) our hearts out for the benefit of the fat prelate who strode airily down the aisle whilst the lumpen proletariat clamoured to clutch the hem of his raiment. In a flash I realised that this wasn't religion at all. It was show business. (extract from "Surviving Stroke City" by Gerry Anderson) Anderson died on 21 August 2014, aged 69, following a long illness. Requiem Mass for the radio presenter was held at St Eugene's Cathedral. A year later, on 18 September 2015, Anderson was posthumously inducted into the PPI Hall of Fame. Gerry Anderson (broadcaster) Gerald Michael "Gerry" Anderson (28