John Wheatley

John Wheatley is a British puppeteer who has worked on various Creature Shop projects. Perhaps his most notable work was being part of the crew doing the Robot in Lost in Space. Wheatley also served as an additional puppeteer on Muppet Treasure Island. His other work with the Creature Shop include Animal Farm (as principal puppeteer) and The Last Video (with Phil Eason and Mark Jefferis). I don't know why John hasn't worked in any other projects featuring the Muppets. He should have assisted in The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppets Most Wanted, or in any appearances in the UK. Outside of his work with the Muppets and the Creature Shop, Wheatley had been a puppeteer on Spitting Image and Round the Bend (replacing Richard Coombs in the 3rd series). He's also appeared in fellow puppeteer David Barclay's 1998 short film Diabolical Properties. It would appear that John has done less puppet work outside than with the Creature Shop. I mean he has only worked on two television series and in a short film by another puppeteer. Wheatley could have done more in his life of puppetry, but I guess it is what he chooses to do that makes him happy. What has he been doing after being in ABBA's The Last Video music video in 2004? I'll bet he's been thinking about doing more work with puppets and maybe deciding to work in another Creature Shop production. He should have also performed in The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance alongside other puppeteers like Neil Sterenberg, Katherine Smee, & Helena Smee. John has got to do more puppeteering in his life because there are a whole lot of works that feature puppetry and even when he's stuck at home he could still puppeteer. I hope that he's still alive today and considering returning to the Creature Shop to perform in another project or at least in a project by the Henson Company. He must be more comfortable working with adults than with kids since Spitting Image is mainly focused on adults. John Wheatley, you've done more puppeteering in the Creature Shop than you think you did. You must have been very proud to work alongside some of the famous Muppet performers like Dave Goelz and Steve Whitmire. Keep on puppeteering and you will become well known for performing in the Creature Shop. Anything is possible when tried John!