What an actor.. What a life! An actual legend
STARS lined up yesterday to pay tribute to children’s TV star and entertainer Bernard Cribbins, who has died aged 93.
The veteran actor starred in the Carry On films, Doctor Who and the 1970 film The Railway Children.
He was working almost right up until his final days as he was spotted filming scenes in a wheelchair for the big 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with David Tennant in mid-May.
A statement from his agent, Gavin Barker Associates, said: “Beloved actor Bernard Cribbins OBE has passed away at the age of 93.
“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 CBeebies series Old Jack’s Boat.
“He lost his wife of 66 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 stars and creative team of Doctor Who led the tributes which came from across the industry, describing Bernard as “an actual legend”.
He played Wilfred Mott, the grandfather of the Doctor’s companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) between 2007 and 2010 and is due to appear in a 2023 episode celebrating the programme’s 60th anniversary.
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies wrote: “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’d phone up and say, ‘I’ve got an idea. What if I attack a Dalek with a paintball gun?’ Okay, Bernard, in it went.”
Davies said he felt “so lucky” to have known Cribbins, adding: “Thanks for everything, my old soldier. A legend has left the world.”
John Simm, who played the villainous Master in Doctor Who, also paid tribute, writing on Instagram: “Farewell Bernard. Loved him. He would happily do all the Wombles voices on command, actually transporting me back in time, for real.
“I’m forever in your debt Russell T Davies for giving me the chance to meet/know/work with him.
“What a man. What an actor. What a life. An actual legend. God bless him.”
Doctor Who actress Georgia
Tennant, the daughter of fifth Doctor Peter Davison and the wife of 10th Doctor David Tennant, posted a short tribute on Instagram.
She said: “There aren’t many people in this world who inspire you to name multiple kids after them. That’s how magic Bernard was.”
Actor Mark Gatiss, who also wrote Doctor Who episodes in which Cribbins starred, tweeted: “There was no one quite like Cribbins.
“A gifted comic actor with an incredible seam of pathos and real heart. From Sellers to Star Turn, Wombles to Wilf.
“I once gushed to him about his lovely performance in Hammer’s She.
That afternoon he was off to play five-a-side – aged almost 90.” Born in Oldham, Cribbins was revered for his versatility and became a favourite with young audiences all over the country as the narrator of The Wombles, as well as for more than 100 appearances on the children’s favourite, Jackanory. After appearing on stage for many years, Cribbins made his film debut in 1957’s Davy, before going on to work alongside some of British cinema’s biggest names. He also starred in Carry On movies and had roles in TV favourites Coronation Street, the revamped Doctor Who and Fawlty Towers. Actor David Morrissey posted a picture from the comedy series and wrote: “So many hours of joy this man gave me. RIP Bernard Cribbins. This episode of Fawlty Towers was such a delight. Comedy legend.”
Off-screen Cribbins enjoyed a successful musical career and had a number of hit records including 1962 comedy songs, Hole In The Ground and Right Said Fred, both of which reached the UK singles chart top 10.
Hole In The Ground, about a dispute between a workman digging a hole and a busybody in a bowler hat, was one of Sir Noel Coward’s musical choices when he appeared on the BBC’s Desert Island Discs in 1963.
Arguably one of the roles he is most famous for was as station porter Albert Perks in The Railway Children, released in 1970. His later roles
included Dalziel And Pascoe, Last Of The Summer Wine and Coronation Street.
Figures from Cribbins’ time as a children’s TV presenter also shared their memories.
Dame Floella Benjamin tweeted: “I adored working with Bernar Cribbins back in the 80s. He was a creative genius, great storyteller and knew just how to communicate with an audience. He has left a lasting legacy.”
One of his most memorable stage roles was playing Moonface Martin in Anything Goes alongside Elaine Paige at the Prince Edward Theatre in 1989.
Paige said: “I’m so very sad. My dear pal Bernard Cribbins has died. We met on Anything Goes and kept our ‘friendship’ for over 33 years. A very special man of many talents.
“Funny, kind, genuine, always had a smile on his face and a quip. One of the good guys. I will miss him so very much.”
Composer and conductor Mike Batt, who helped create The Wombles on TV and wrote much of their material, recalled Cribbins’ “mischievous” nature and questioned why he was never knighted.
Batt told BBC News: “Too many memories. He was a wonderful guy to just be with. He was wonderful company.
“He was generous. He was great, of course, with kids which says a lot about somebody. He was rather mischievous and great funny, giggly company to be with, but he took his work very seriously. ”
Batt added: “He was a great actor.
“He didn’t just do it because there was nothing else to do. That was his vocation.
“He started it very early, he had a wonderful career and I am surprised he wasn’t knighted actually, but there you go.”
Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC Children’s and Education, said: “Bernard was a truly wonderful actor whose work has been enjoyed by children throughout the generations.”