Big Bird says goodbye

Puppeteer Caroll Spinney, famous for playing Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street, is retiring at the age of 84.

Spinney has portrayed the characters - including providing their voices - since the show's start in 1969.

A statement from the puppeteer was tweeted on Sesame Street's official Twitter account.

"Before I came to Sesame Street, I didn't feel like what I was doing was important," he said.

"Big Bird helped me find my purpose,"

Even as I step down from my roles, I feel I will always be Big Bird. And even Oscar, once in a while!," he added.

Spinney developed a love for puppetry at the age of five after watching a performance of Three Little Kittens.

He explored puppeteering throughout his childhood and teenage years and used his performances to raise money for college tuition.

After serving in the US Air Force, Spinney performed as a professional puppeteer in Las Vegas and Boston in the 1950s and 1960s, eventually meeting Muppets creator Jim Henson in 1962, who also starred in Sesame Street.

Spinney later joined the cast for the show's inaugural series in 1969.