Bernard Cribbins, a beloved veteran actor, died at the age of 93, only months after the loss of his wife of 66 years, Gillian. Gavin Barker Associates issued an official statement announcing the actor’s death. The notification stated:
“Beloved actor Bernard Cribbins OBE died at the age of 93.” His career spanned seven decades, with work spanning from films such as The Railway Children and the Carry On series, to popular 60’s song Right Said Fred, to being an infamous guest on Fawlty Towers and narrating The Wombles.”
It went on to say:
“He worked well into his 90s, most recently in Doctor Who and the CBeebies show Old Jack’s Boat.” He lost his 66-year-old wife, Gill, last year.”
Cribbins was one of the finest performers of his time, according to the statement, and his departure will be felt by his colleagues and associates:
“Bernard’s significance to British entertainment is undeniable.” He was one-of-a-kind, embodying the finest of his age, and he will be sorely missed by anyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.”
“Every night, Doctor, when it gets dark, and the stars come out… I’ll look up at the sky, and think of you.”
Bernard Cribbins (1928-2022) ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/8JwzRZOeDh
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) July 28, 2022
Bernard Cribbins’ career lasted seven decades and established him as one of Hollywood’s most distinguished performers. In recent years, the British actor has received widespread recognition for his portrayal of Wilfred Mott in the famous science-fiction series Doctor Who.
The role of Bernard Cribbins in Doctor Who
Following many years of success in Hollywood, Bernard Cribbins remains popular among Doctor Who fans for his latest portrayal as Wilfred Mott, with David Tennant and Catherine Tate. Cribbins originally appeared as Tom Campbell in the Doctor Who world in the 1966 film Daleks’ Invasion of Earth 2150 A.D. According to reports, the actor was considered for the part of the Fourth Doctor but was eventually turned down.
He ultimately returned to the brand in the Doctor Who revival series as Wilfred Mott, the father of Sylvia Noble and grandfather of Donna Noble, the Tenth Doctor’s companion. Mott made his debut appearance on the program in the Christmas episode Voyage of the Damned in 2007. Cribbins reprised his role as Mott in the episodes Partners in Crime, The Sontaran Stratagem, The Poison Sky, Turn Left, The Stolen Earth, and Journey’s End, all of which aired in 2008. Mott’s character was an atheist who helped keep his granddaughter’s experiences as the Doctor’s companion hidden from her mother.
Wilfred Mott was also the Tenth Doctor’s last companion in the 2009 two-part adventure The End of Time. Cribbins was one of the few performers to participate in both the Doctor Who film from the 1960s and the revived TV series, and he was the only actor to portray two distinct companions in two separate mediums. Cribbins was reputedly 80 years old at the time of shooting the 2009 episode, making him the oldest actor to portray a companion. He was observed shooting on the set of Doctor Who in a wheelchair earlier this year, reprising his role as Wilfred Mott for the show’s 60th anniversary.
A look back at Bernard Cribbins’ most memorable roles throughout the years.
Bernard Cribbins was an English actor and singer who spent over seven decades in Hollywood. He made his television debut in the 1956 production of David Copperfield and went on to become well-known for his performances in the Carry On film series, The Railway Children, Fawlty Towers, Doctor Who, and as the narrator of The Wombles. Cribbins starred as midshipman Albert Poop-Decker in the 1964 film Carry On Jack and as Harold Crump (Bluebottle) in carrying On Spying. In 1992, he returned to the film series as Mordecai Mendoza in the film Carry On Columbus.
Following that, he played the renowned station porter Albert Perks in the 1970 British drama The Railway Children, bartender Felix Forsythe in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1972 picture Frenzy, and hotel visitor Mr. Hutchinson in the 1975 episode The Hotel Inspectors of Fawlty Towers. Between 1966 and 1991, Cribbins was a frequent reader of the BBC children’s TV program Jackanory, and between 1973 and 1975, he narrated the famous children’s show The Wombles.
The legend is also recognized for portraying the title character in the CBeebies series Old Jack’s Boat from 2013 to 2015, as well as his recurrent role as Wilfred Mott in Doctor Who. Bernard Cribbins was also awarded an OBE in 2011 for his services to the theater during his lengthy career.
