Sesame Street's Big Bird puppeteer Caroll Spinney has died

Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer who gave life to Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, has died at the age of 85.

The Sesame Street star reportedly passed away at his home in Connecticut after living with dystonia - a neurological disorder affecting movement - for some time.

He had retired last year at the age of 84.

Spinney had portrayed the characters on the children's TV show since it began in 1969.

"Caroll was an artistic genius whose kind and loving view of the world helped shape and define Sesame Street from its earliest days in 1969 through five decades, and his legacy here at Sesame Workshop and in the cultural firmament will be unending," a statement released by Sesame Workshop said.

Spinney, who was bullied during his childhood for his fascination with puppets, previously spoke out about the show's importance to his life.

"Before I came to Sesame Street, I didn't feel like what I was doing was important," he said. "Big Bird helped me find my purpose."

After serving in the US Air Force, Spinney performed as a professional puppeteer in Las Vegas and Boston in the 1950s and 1960s, eventually meeting Muppets creator Jim Henson, who also starred in Sesame Street.

Spinney's work on the children's programme has earned him two Grammy honours and six Emmy awards, plus a Lifetime Achievement Emmy award which he received in 2006.

He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.