Matthew Vogel, who plays Big Bird, speaks on Sesame Street's future

He plays one of the most iconic characters in US television history... but if you passed him on the street, you likely wouldn't give him a second glance.

Matthew Vogel, 54 - the performer better known as Sesame Street's Big Bird - has brought joy to millions of American children. 

But there are growing fears that laughter could be brought to an abrupt halt, as Trump pledged to strip Sesame Street broadcaster PBS of its funding.