John Thirtle (1948-1995) was a British puppeteer, who, along with Ian Allen, formed Playboard Puppets, the company behind the British puppet series Button Moon and The Spooks of Bottle Bay (for the latter of which Thirtle designed the puppets and sets). Thirtle also served as a puppeteer on Spitting Image and one episode of Doctor Who.
Thirtle served as an additional puppeteer on The Dark Crystal (uncredited), The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Muppet Treasure Island.