It was announced today that acclaimed actor and children’s television personality Bernard Cribbins had passed away at the age of 93, just months after the death of his loving wife of nearly 70 years.
Fans are grieved by the passing of the British actor who appeared in numerous Carry On movies, Fawlty Towers, Doctor Who, The Wombles, Jackanory, and the famous 1970 version of The Railway Children.
After filming for a 60th anniversary show with former Time Lord David Tennant, Mr. Cribbins, the son of an Oldham cotton weaver, was due to appear in the new season of Doctor Who the following year.
On May 16, David Tennant was spotted pushing Mr. Cribbins in a wheelchair through north London with Catherine Tate.
Russell T. Davies, the showrunner of Doctor Who, led the tributes today and declared: “A legend has left the world,” writing on Instagram that Mr. Cribbins was equally at ease performing Shakespeare and science fiction as well as comedy.
Gavin Barker Associates released the following statement: “Much-loved actor Bernard Cribbins OBE has passed away at the age of 93.
His career lasted seven decades and included a wide range of projects, including The Railway Children, the Carry On series, Right Said Fred, a hit song from the 1960s, an infamous appearance on Fawlty Towers, and narrating The Wombles.
He continued to work far into his nineties, most recently making appearances in Old Jack’s Boat on CBeebies and Doctor Who. Gill, his wife of 66 years, passed away last year.
There is no denying Bernard’s contribution to British entertainment.
All those who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him will sincerely miss him since he was exceptional and typified the finest of his generation.
David Niven and The Beatles were friends of Mr. Cribbins, who recently attributed his long life and successful career to “good luck and DNA.” He swore he would never retire and declared, “It’s just a number,” when he turned 90.
But when his 1955 bride Gillian passed away in October, he was inconsolable.
A year before he made his acting debut in a TV rendition of David Copperfield, they exchanged vows.
They were heartbroken by a string of miscarriages, resided in Surrey, and were childless.
Bernard claimed that working on children’s TV shows and movies, particularly The Railway Children, gave him “a very nice feeling to think of all those who saw it as a youngster” and helped him get over his loss of his own children.
He overcame prostate cancer in his latter years and lived through a triple heart bypass in 1997. He also sustained a spinal injury, which prevented him from walking large distances.
This is the reason why he was caught giving captivating sea tales to young viewers on his beloved CBeebies series Old Jack’s Boat while sitting down.
Following Bernard Cribbins’ passing at the age of 93, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies paid tribute to him, stating: “A legend has left the planet.”
Davies described Cribbins, who played Wilfred Mott in the science fiction show from 2007 to 2010, as “an old soldier” on Instagram.
He wrote, “Bernard Cribbins (1928–2022) I love this man,” next to a photo of the seasoned actor, whose face was visible through a hole in a made-up brick wall. I cherish him.
He played Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in that picture.
Do you feel like performing some Shakespeare, Bernard?
Show the script to me.
‘ He was familiar with everyone! He would discuss the Beatles, David Niven, and how he and TH White once imitated bird noises while sitting on the stairs at a party. He would then continue, “I said to Ashley Banjo last week,” He cherished his time on Doctor Who.
Children are calling me granddad on the street, he declared. On location with Kylie Minogue on his first day, all eyes—including Kylie’s—were on Bernard.
He had arrived with a suitcase packed with props, including a rubber chicken, just in case.
What a performer. Oh, seriously, what a talented actor.
He received a standing ovation when we sent him up on his own to accept an award at the TV Choice Awards when we took him there. That is a beautiful recollection.
He would call and announce, “I’ve got an idea! What if I use a paintball gun to assault a Dalek? Bernard, you may now insert it.
“He spoke of Gill in every conversation we ever had because he loved her with all of his heart.” A classic tale of love.
I feel so fortunate to have known him. I appreciate everything, old soldier. The world has lost a legend.
Cribbins, an Oldham native, was admired for his flexibility and won over young audiences across the nation as the narrator of The Wombles and for more than 100 appearances on Jackanory, a hit with kids.
Cribbins spent many years performing on stage before making his film debut in 1957’s Davy. He then collaborated with some of the biggest names in British cinema on movies like Two-Way Stretch, She, Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 AD, the 1967 adaptation of Casino Royale, and Frenzy.
He has played roles in the popular TV shows Doctor Who and Coronation Street in addition to various Carry On films.
Off-screen In 1962, the comedic songs Hole In The Ground and Right Said Fred both made it to the top 10 of the UK singles chart, and Cribbins enjoyed a successful musical career.
Possibly one of his most well-known performances was as station porter Albert Perks in the 1970 film The Railway Children.
The story of three children forced to relocate from London to Yorkshire because their father was wrongfully imprisoned for allegedly selling state secrets is told in the movie adaptation of E. Nesbit’s book.
Young Jenny Agutter also starred in the movie, which is best known for its tearjerking moment at the conclusion when Agutter’s character yells out, “Daddy, my daddy,” as they are reunited on a railway station. Cribbins portrayed Albert Perks, the station porter.
He was awarded an OBE in 2011 for his lengthy career’s contributions to drama. He claimed during the investiture ceremony that The Wombles’ writing made it easy to provide voices for characters like Uncle Bulgaria, Tobermory, and Orinoco.
He added, “The writing was structured in such a way that you knew exactly where everyone was socially in that household.”
He continued to make frequent appearances in the Doctor Who TV series as Wilfred Mott, Donna Noble’s grandfather, who was portrayed by Catherine Tate.
13.31 million viewers watched the Christmas Day 2007 broadcast of Voyage Of The Damned to see the then-Doctor, David Tennant, fight to save the crew of an opulent space liner called the Titanic.
Along with other notable guests like Russell Tovey, Geoffrey Palmer, Clive Swift, and Kylie Minogue, Cribbins appeared in the show.
In addition, he starred in the CBeebies programme Old Jack’s Boat and provided the narration for the Tufty Fluffytale series of public service announcements about driving safety in the 1960s.
Recent rumours claimed that Cribbins had been seen filming for the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with Tate and Tennant.