Bernard Cribbins

2022 - 7 - 28

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Bernard Cribbins, star of Doctor Who and Jackanory, dies aged 93 (The Guardian)

The actor, comedian and singer had a career spanning eight decades from Fawlty Towers to hit single Right Said Fred.

The actor Elaine Page, whoappeared alongside Cribbins in Davies’ BBC One adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, said “I’m so very sad. He was awarded the OBE in 2011 for services to drama. 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.” “I never met the gentleman,” he told the Guardian in 2014. His dulcet tones meant he was a perfect fit for the BBC’s storytelling show, Jackanory, on which he appeared more times than any other reader, 114, between 1966 and 1991. Bernard Cribbins has died at the age of 93.

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Image courtesy of "Deadline"

Bernard Cribbins Dies: Veteran British Actor Who Starred In 'The ... (Deadline)

Cribbins' agent, Gavin Barker Associates, confirmed the news with Deadline in a statement.

The statement continued: “Bernard’s contribution to British entertainment is without question. “Beloved actor Bernard Cribbins OBE has passed away at the age of 93. Bernard Cribbins, the veteran British actor who narrated The Wombles and starred in the popular film adaptation of The Railway Children, has died.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Bernard Cribbins: A life in pictures (BBC News)

Cribbins's career spanned more than seven decades, and saw him appear in Fawlty Towers, Doctor Who and the Railway Children.

Having appeared as Tom Campbell, a companion to the Doctor in the 1966 feature film Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 AD, Cribbins also appeared in the Doctor Who TV series four decades later as Wilfred Mott, a companion to David Tennant's Tenth Doctor. In the 1980s, Cribbins took a starring role as Nathan Detroit in Richard Eyre's revival of the musical Guys and Dolls at the National Theatre. He was adept at musical comedy, appearing in the revue show And Another Thing, and releasing a number from the show called Folksong as a single.

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Image courtesy of "Bloomberg"

Bernard Cribbins, Star of the Railway Children and Doctor Who ... (Bloomberg)

Children's TV star and entertainer Bernard Cribbins has died aged 93, his agent said. The veteran actor starred in the Carry On films, Doctor Who and the ...

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Image courtesy of "Sky News"

Bernard Cribbins, star of Doctor Who and The Railway Children, has ... (Sky News)

Veteran actor Bernard Cribbins, who narrated The Wombles and starred in the film adaptation of The Railway Children, has died aged 93. A statement from his ...

A legend has left the world." Thank you Bernard Cribbins." "D'you fancy doing some Shakespeare, Bernard? 'Let me see the script.' He knew everyone! "I'm so lucky to have known him. He wrote on Instagram: "Bernard Cribbins (1928-2022) I love this man. "Bernard's contribution to British entertainment is without question.

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Image courtesy of "Variety"

'Doctor Who' Star and 'Wombles' Narrator Bernard Cribbins Dies at 93 (Variety)

Bernard Cribbins, the beloved narrator of 1970s British children's show 'The Wombles' and 'Doctor Who' actor, has died. He was 93.

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 actor in 2009 was the recipient of a Special Award at the British Academy Children’s Awards. The honor was presented by his former “Doctor Who” co-star Tate. Cribbins was later appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s 2011 Birthday Honors list, for services to drama. Oh, really though, what a wonderful actor.” Cribbins’ recent work included a couple of 2022 podcasts: “Dr. Who & The Daleks: The Official Story of the Films” and “The Jungle Book: The Mowgli Stories.” I love him.” And what an actor.

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Image courtesy of "New York Post"

Bernard Cribbins, star of 'Doctor Who,' dead at 93 (New York Post)

Beloved actor Bernard Cribbins, best known for his role in "Doctor Who" and "The Railway Children," died at the age of 93, his agent said.

A legend has left the world.” Former “Doctor Who” showrunner Russel T. Davies led tributes, writing, “I’m so lucky to have known him. “Bernard’s contribution to British entertainment is without question,” the statement continued.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Bernard Cribbins: Doctor Who and Wombles star dies aged 93 (BBC News)

Actor and singer Bernard Cribbins, whose career in TV and film spanned seven decades, dies aged 93.

At the age of nearly 90, he published an autobiography looking back on his years in show business in 2018. "That's a lovely memory." Engage with that little figure on the other side of the lens." "And what an actor. He was familiar but never so famous that Cribbins, the man, ever overshadowed whatever he had turned his hand to that day. But he took his work very seriously and he was a fine actor on all levels. He was funny, hardworking, caring, loyal and someone who could turn his hand to anything. I adored working with— Floella Benjamin (@FloellaBenjamin) #BernardCribbinsback in the 80’s. He was a creative genius, great storyteller and knew just how to communicate with an audience. "I once gushed to him about his lovely performance in Hammer's 'She'. That afternoon he was off to play five aside - aged almost 90." "I have an array of voices. A legend has left the world." Former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies led the tributes, posting a picture of him on set, while saying: "I'm so lucky to have known him.

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Image courtesy of "Associated Press"

Bernard Cribbins, actor who delighted UK kids, dies at 93 (Associated Press)

LONDON (AP) — Bernard Cribbins, a beloved British entertainer whose seven-decade career ranged from the bawdy “Carry On” comedies to children's television ...

A younger generation knew Cribbins as Wilfred Mott, a companion to David Tennant’s titular Doctor, when ”Doctor Who” was revived in the early 21st century. A legend has left the world.” “Bernard’s contribution to British entertainment is without question,” it said.

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Image courtesy of "Bloomberg"

Bernard Cribbins, Actor Who Delighted UK Kids, Dies At 93 (Bloomberg)

London (AP) -- Bernard Cribbins, a beloved British entertainer whose seven-decade career ranged from the bawdy “Carry On” comedies to children's television ...

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Image courtesy of "TVLine"

Doctor Who's Bernard Cribbins Dead at 93 — Read Russell T ... (TVLine)

British actor Bernard Cribbins, who played Wilfred 'Wilf' Mott, grandfather of Catherine Tate's Donna on 'Doctor Who,' has died at 93.

Across the pond, Cribbins was a legend of children’s programming. A legend has left the world.” A love story for the ages.

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Image courtesy of "The A.V. Club"

R.I.P. Bernard Cribbins, star of Doctor Who (The A.V. Club)

Cribbins is known for playing Wilfred Mott on Doctor Who as well as narrating children's show The Wombles.

“Beloved actor Bernard Cribbins OBE has passed away at the age of 93. Bernard Cribbins, a veteran actor known for his role as Wilfred Mott on Doctor Who, has passed away at the age of 93. In a long and varied career, Cribbins was possibly best known for his work in children’s entertainment.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Bernard Cribbins, British Actor Known for 'Doctor Who,' Is Dead at 93 (The New York Times)

Mr. Cribbins's long career included roles on stage, film and television.

In 1975, Mr. Cribbins appeared in an episode of the comedy series “Fawlty Towers,” starring John Cleese as the hapless manager of a seaside hotel. He had also appeared in a Doctor Who movie, “Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.,” in 1966. What if I attack a Dalek with a paintball gun?!’ Okay, Bernard, in it went!” In addition to dozens of roles in film and television, he recorded the 1960s novelty song “Right Said Fred.” And the stories, as I said before, were wonderful,” he said. And you pull them in.” Mr. Davies wrote that Mr. Cribbins had once “turned up with a suitcase full of props, just in case, including a rubber chicken.” He added, “He’d phone up and say, ‘I’ve got an idea! This period of onstage work broadened into other media, including television and film, for which he became widely known, according to IMDB. In the TV series, which the producer Russell T Davies revived in 2005, Mr. Cribbins played a recurring role as the grandfather of one of the Doctor’s companions, Donna Noble, played by Catherine Tate. In an Instagram post on Thursday, Mr. Davies wrote that Mr. Cribbins “loved being in Doctor Who. He said, ‘Children are calling me grandad in the street!’” Mr. Cribbins was born in Oldham, England, just outside Manchester, on Dec. 29, 1928, according to IMDB. After his early stage career, he narrated “The Wombles,” a 1970s animated television program created from a series of books about underground creatures, and joined the cast of the science-fiction TV series “Doctor Who” from 2007 to 2010. In one of his more than 100 readings, of “ The Wizard of Oz” in 1970, Mr. Cribbins infused the voices of Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Wizard and other characters with a full dramatic repertoire of whispers, tremors and shrieks. When he was awarded a BAFTA Special Award in 2009, he grew serious in an interview when asked about the hugely popular “Jackanory” and how it had influenced young audiences.

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Image courtesy of "TV Insider"

'Doctor Who' and 'Fawlty Towers' Actor Bernard Cribbins Dies at 93 (TV Insider)

'Doctor Who' showrunner Russell T. Davies pays tribute.

“He worked well into his 90s, recently appearing in Doctor Who and the CBeebies series Old Jack’s Boat,” said Cribbins’ agent (via Variety). “Bernard’s contribution to British entertainment is without question. Cribbins was born on 29 December 1928 in Oldham, England, and began his acting career on the West End in 1956. And what an actor. Oh, really though, what a wonderful actor.” I love him,” wrote Davies. “I love this man.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Bernard Cribbins obituary (The Guardian)

Character actor especially loved by young audiences for film and TV including Jackanory, The Wombles and The Railway Children.

As if to prove that he left no television stone unturned, he cropped up in Worzel Gummidge with Jon Pertwee, Last of the Summer Wine with Peter Sallis and Bill Owen and, in 2003, Coronation Street, in which he played Wally Bannister, a lecherous gardener passing himself off as a wealthy haulage firm owner. A BBC Play of the Month in 1977 – William Wycherley’s sexually explicit Restoration masterpiece The Country Wife – in which he played the irascible husband of Helen Mirren’s lubricious Margery Pinchwife – was a reminder that he had been away from the stage for too long. In 1969, ITV gave him two series of his own comedy show, Cribbins, and a decade of high-profile television work culminated in Shillingbury Tales by Francis Essex, six hour-long episodes of everyday life in a fictional village, filmed on location in Aldbury, Hertfordshire. His character of Cuffy, the colourful tinker, was so successful that it earned him a 1983 spin-off series, Cuffy, in which he was joined by Linda Hayden and Jack Douglas from the original Shillingbury cast. He divided his time in the 1960s between stage and screen. He stayed in the job for seven years, playing increasingly larger, then leading, roles, with an interruption in 1947 to complete his national service with the Parachute Regiment in Aldershot, Hampshire, and then in Palestine. He explained his connection to young audiences by saying that his job was to look straight down the lens and imagine one child sitting there, transfixed.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Actor Bernard Cribbins, who delighted U.K. kids for generations ... (NPR)

Bernard Cribbins, a beloved British entertainer whose seven-decade career ranged from the bawdy "Carry On" comedies to children's television and "Doctor Who ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Bernard Cribbins: a warm, kindly titan of children's entertainment (The Guardian)

Over eight decades, Cribbins enthralled generations of young people. He leaves a remarkable legacy, from The Railway Children to Jackanory – not to mention ...

Cribbins, who was born into a poor Oldham family, left school at 13 to work in a local theatre, meaning he had a professional career of eight decades. In his brief peak as a movie star, Cribbins also, for contrast, made Alfred Hitchcock’s 1972 horror flick Frenzy. For the British film industry, he had numerous cameos in comedies, including as Midshipman Albert Poop-Decker in Carry On Jack. Both were character solos, with Cribbins embodying the sort of bluff, baffled workman who was a feature of British streets and building sites at the time. Appearing in shows with a long shelf life – because new child viewers arrive all the time – does not seem to have been a deliberate career strategy, but it gave Cribbins extraordinarily enduring recognisability. When Russell T Davies rebooted the show for BBC One in 2005, his scholarly interest in the show’s past led him to cast Cribbins as Wilfred Mott, an occasional companion of David Tennant’s Doctor. Older viewers recognised the actor from the film; younger ones knew his voice from his narration of The Wombles, originally screened on BBC One from 1973-75 but repeated for decades. He played Tom Campbell, one of the earthlings trying to resist takeover by the malevolent rolling salt cellars, in Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150AD, a movie spin-off from the original series.

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Image courtesy of "Vulture"

Bernard Cribbins, Doctor Who Actor and Novelty-Song Performer ... (Vulture)

Bernard Cribbins, British actor known for Doctor Who, is dead at age 93. Russell T. Davies paid tribute to his work across over 40 years of 'Doctor Who.

Cribbins will be remembered by a generation for being the narrator of the children’s show The Wombles from 1973 to 1975. In 2011, Cribbins was recognized for his contributions to drama, receiving an Order of the British Empire as part of the Queen’s birthday honors. British performer Bernard Cribbins has died at age 93, according to a statement from his agent.

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

'Doctor Who' star and 'Wombles' narrator Bernard Cribbins dies at 93 (NBC News)

Bernard Cribbins, the beloved narrator of 1970s British children's show “The Wombles” and actor on “Doctor Who,” has died. He was 93.

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 actor in 2009 was the recipient of a Special Award at the British Academy Children’s Awards. The honor was presented by his former “Doctor Who” co-star Tate. Cribbins was later appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s 2011 Birthday Honors list, for services to drama. Oh, really though, what a wonderful actor.” Cribbins’ recent work included a couple of 2022 podcasts: “Dr. Who & The Daleks: The Official Story of the Films” and “The Jungle Book: The Mowgli Stories.” I love him.” And what an actor.

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Image courtesy of "Collider.com"

'Doctor Who' Star Bernard Cribbins Dead at 93 (Collider.com)

Beloved British actor Bernard Cribbins, known for his role as Wilfred Mott in Doctor Who, has passed away at the age of 93.

Cribbins' career spanned over seven decades and featured many outstanding roles in film, television, and on the stage. In a statement made to Deadline, Cribbins’ agent confirmed his death: “Beloved actor Bernard Cribbins OBE has passed away at the age of 93. Beloved British actor Bernard Cribbins has died at the age of 93.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Bernard Cribbins, 'Doctor Who' actor, dead at 93 - CNN (CNN)

Bernard Cribbins, a stage and screen actor who appeared on "Doctor Who" and narrated the British children's series "The Wombles," has died, ...

He was touched to find that Davies later incorporated Cribbins' memory into a scene in "Doctor Who." "And you pull them in. And it works!" A legend has left the world," Davies wrote. "I'm so lucky to have known him. He also appeared in the film "The Railway Children," a film voted one of the 100 best in British film history, per the BBC

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Image courtesy of "Polygon"

Bernard Cribbins helped remind the world Doctor Who is about ... (Polygon)

The beloved British actor had a storied career that included one of the most memorable arcs in Doctor Who history, which included the end of David Tennant's ...

Cribbins makes himself small, aware of his insignificance in the cosmos, and believing the alien in front of him to be more important. In this season, The Doctor was accompanied by Donna Noble (Catherine Tate), a brassy and opinionated Londoner who often kept the Doctor on his toes and at a loss for words. While The Doctor always was in danger of turning sour thanks to his age, Wilfred had seen much, and still remained resolute in his kindness. In season 4, The Doctor was played by fan-favorite actor David Tennant, who would end his tenure as the Tenth Doctor shortly afterward after the season in a series of special episodes. This was a pretty remarkable thing in and of itself — even rebooted Doctor Who was a bit odd and hokey for mid-’00s U.S. airwaves, operating with different sensibilities and rhythms than American science fiction. The next will be played by Ncuti Gatwa, the first Black actor in the role.)

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Bernard Cribbins, actor who delighted UK kids, dies at 93 (New Zealand Herald)

Bernard Cribbins, a beloved British entertainer whose seven-decade career ranged from the bawdy "Carry On" comedies to children's television and "Doctor ...

A younger generation knew Cribbins as Wilfred Mott, a companion to David Tennant's titular Doctor, when "Doctor Who" was revived in the early 21st century. A legend has left the world." "Thanks for everything, my old soldier. He appeared in several movies in the "Carry On" series, was a memorable guest star on classic sitcom "Fawlty Towers" and had top 10 hits with comedy songs "Hole in the Ground" and "Right Said Fred". Cribbins also was the voice of road-safety squirrel Tufty Fluffytail in a series of public information films, and held the record for the most appearances — more than 100 — on children's storytelling TV series "Jackanory". Bernard Cribbins, a beloved British entertainer whose seven-decade career ranged from the bawdy "Carry On" comedies to children's television and "Doctor Who", has died.

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