Molly Blake

Molly Suzanne Blake (née McClenaghan; 14 August 1917 – 9 June 2011) was a British illustrator, BBC children's television presenter and children's author. Blake studied at the Central School of Art and Design in London. Her parents were the actress, dancer and broadcaster Annette Mills, best remembered for being the partner of the puppet "Muffin", in the successful BBC Television children's series Muffin the Mule between 1946 and 1955, and her first husband, Henry McClenaghan. Molly produced many of the illustrations in the popular series of children's books of Muffin the Mule stories. One of her drawings of Muffin was used in Radio Times in 1951. Mills also appeared on television with the glove puppet "Prudence Kitten". After Mills' death in January 1955, Blake took over the role. Her earliest such appearance was on 27 July 1955. She also wrote Prudence Kitten books, but these were illustrated by others. A 1947 portrait photograph of Blake, by John Gay, is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.