26 December 2012 Last updated at 18:52

In pictures: Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson

Gerry Anderson and his wife Sylvia at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London, with the Television Society Silver medal awarded to Thunderbirds in 1966

Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson began his television career in the 1950s and established himself as one of Britain's most innovative brains. The characters Lady Penelope - seen here beside Anderson's wife, Sylvia - Brains and Joe 90 were among his most famous characters.

A marionette pilot in uniform steers a vehicle

Thunderbirds revolved around a futuristic emergency service called International Rescue, manned by the Tracy family.

Gerry Anderson with two of his most famous puppets, Lady Penelope and Parker.

Thunderbirds, which was filmed on Slough Trading Estate in Berkshire and was first broadcast in 1965. In the programme, the rescue service was often assisted by Lady Penelope - voiced by Mrs Anderson - and her butler, Parker.

Gerry Anderson helped to pioneer "supermarionation" in the 1960s - a puppetry technique using thin wires to control marionettes.

Co-founders of adventure series Stingray, Gerry and Sylvia Anderson with some of the puppets from the cast

Anderson collaborated on many of his programmes with his wife, Sylvia. They worked together on a number of programmes such as Captain Scarlet and Stingray. Some puppets from the latter can be seen in this image.

Gerry Anderson with fictional Thunderbirds characters Alan, Scott and Virgil

Despite being was most famous for Thunderbirds, he was involved in numerous creations which included UFO, Space: 1999, Supercar and Fireball XL5.

Gerry Anderson holds Thunderbird 2 on the 40th anniversary of the Thunderbirds

Thunderbirds marked the peak of Anderson's career. The show even had its own catchphrase: "Thunderbirds are go!"

Gerry Anderson with his son Jamie Anderson

In later years, Gerry Anderson suffered from Alzheimer's Disease. He was diagnosed in 2010 and his condition had worsened in the past six months, according to his son, Jamie Anderson. The pair became supporters of the Alzheimer's Society.

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In pictures: Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson

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