Danilo Bertazzi, known to children of the nineties as Tonio Cartonio, has made his return. His farewell to Fantabosco and Melevisione, which took place in the episode of 5 February 2004, moved many children and parents of the time, who were fond of the character who became a cult for more than five years, from 1999 to 2004. That episode, entitled “L’impresa di Tonio”, it set an audience record for Rai 3, reaching a 22% share. Tonio explained to his young viewers that he would leave Melevisione to move to Città Laggiù (as he called the real world). For many, even today, that episode marks the transition from childhood to adolescence.
Tonio Cartonio reveals the reasons for leaving Melevisione: “I went on air with a hidden drip”
20 years later, Danilo Bertazzi decided to land on TikTok at the age of 64 to make the children of that time relive that period, revealing some secrets of the program that marked an entire generation, like L’Albero Azzurro or Bim, Boom, Bam. For a few weeks, in fact, the actor has been making videos in which he answers questions from his followers, garnering millions of views.
Bertazzi reveals that the decision to leave Melevisione was due to a combination of misunderstandings with the director, personal considerations and a debilitating illness. «It was not an easy choice nor dictated by economic reasons or new projects» he explained on TikTok. «I didn’t do anything for two years, it took time to get back on TV. I paid for that choice.” Then he apologizes to his little spectators: «I feel guilty when I see Tonio’s farewell because I know I have caused you sorrow, and for this I apologize. Forgive me”.
Bertazzi’s relationship with Melevisione ended for several reasons. “I had my first heart surgery, which changes your perspective on life and makes you reflect,” he says. During his convalescence, he was worried about being replaced and called the authors to reassure them about his health condition. He returned to the program, hiding the IV tubes under his costume: «The authors invented a story about a disease in Fantabosco, so I could lie down in my pyjamas».
