Janice Burgess, creator of ‘The Backyardigans,’ dies

Janice Burgess, creator of the Nickelodeon show ‘The Backyardigans’ and a writer for ‘Winx Club,’ has died after a battle with breast cancer, her friends say. She was 72 years old.

Brown Johnson, a friend and the creator of Nick Jr., said Burgess died on Saturday while in hospice care in Manhattan. A second friend, Fracaswell Hyman, also confirmed her death.

“Janice created The Backyardigans and guided countless other shows for Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, Disney and Apple TV,” Hyman wrote. “Her script/story critiques were astute, clear and constructive – and I really thank her for that.”

“I will miss my dear friend,” he added.

Burgess, who celebrated her birthday just a day before her death, worked on a number of shows for Nickelodeon, including ‘Gullah, Gullah Island,’ ‘Allegra’s Window,’ ‘Blue’s Clues’ and ‘Bubble Guppies.’

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of one of the great architects of Nick Jr. and creator of the globally beloved series, The Backyardigans,” Nickelodeon said in a statement. “Janice was one of the greats–inherently creative and kind, and dedicated to the preschool audience everywhere.”