Actor who starred as Steve Ross in the 1970s children’s TV series Follyfoot and later went on to work in radio drama

Steve Hodson, who has died aged 77, made his name in one of the most cherished children’s television series of the 1970s, Follyfoot, which was inspired by the 1963 Monica Dickens novel Cobbler’s Dream, about three young people working at a horse rescue centre.

The teatime drama brought Hodson a legion of young admirers for his performance as Steve Ross, but also attracted many grown-up viewers over 39 episodes and three series from 1971 to 1973, with audiences of up to 14 million. It was sold on to 20 countries and won the 1972 Harlequin award for best children’s programme from the Society of Film and Television Arts (now Bafta).