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Legendary actor Bernard Cribbins dies aged 93
The actor was awarded an OBE for his services to drama in 2011
Veteran actor Bernard Cribbins has died at the age of ninety-three, his agent has confirmed today.
Throughout his career, which spanned seven decades, Cribbins starred in a number of blockbuster films and TV series, including The Railway Children, Doctor Who and several Carry On movies.
He also had roles in ITV soap Coronation Street, as well as many others films and programmes.
A statement from Gavin Barker Associates said: “Beloved actor Bernard Cribbins OBE has passed away at the age of ninety-three.
“His career spanned seven decades with such diverse work ranging from films like The Railway Children and the Carry On series, hit 60s song ‘Right Said Fred’, a notorious guest on Fawlty Towers and narrating The Wombles.
“He worked well into his 90s, recently appearing in Doctor Who and the CBeebies series Old Jack’s Boat.
“He lost his wife of sixty-six years, Gill, last year.
“Bernard’s contribution to British entertainment is without question. He was unique, typifying the best of his generation, and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him.”
The tributes for Cribbins have been flooding in since the announcement of his death, with returning Doctor Who show runner Russell T Davies writing: “Bernard Cribbins (1928-2022) I love this man. I love him.
“He loved being in Doctor Who. He said, ‘Children are calling me grandad in the street!’. His first day was on location with Kylie Minogue, but all eyes, even Kylie’s, were on Bernard. He’d turned up with a suitcase full of props, just in case, including a rubber chicken.
“And what an actor. Oh, really though, what a wonderful actor. We once took him to the TV Choice Awards and sent him up on his own to collect the award, and the entire room stood up and cheered him. That’s a lovely memory.
“He loved Gill with all his heart; he mentioned her in every conversation we ever had. A love story for the ages. I’m so lucky to have known him. Thanks for everything, my old soldier. A legend has left the world.”