Much-loved children’s TV star and actor Bernard Cribbins has died aged 93, it was revealed today, just months after his beloved wife of nearly 70 years died.
The death of the British star, who was in many Carry On films, Fawlty Towers, Doctor Who, narrated The Wombles, Jackanory and was in the classic 1970 film adaptation of The Railway Children, has devastated followers
Mr Cribbins, the son of an Oldham cotton weaver who worked in children’s TV until recently and was due to appear in the new series of Doctor Who next year after filming for a show in 60th birthday with former Time Lord David Tennant, who was seen pushing him. on a wheelchair through North London with Catherine Tate on 16th May.
A statement from Gavin Barker Associates said: “Beloved actor Bernard Cribbins OBE has died aged 93.
“His career spanned seven decades with such diverse work ranging from films such as The Railway Children and the Carry On series, the 1960s hit song Right Said Fred, a notable guest appearance on Fawlty Towers and narration by The Wombles.
“He worked into his 90s, and recently appeared in Doctor Who and the CBeebies series Old Jack’s Boat. He lost his wife of 66 years, Gill, last year. “Bernard’s contribution to British entertainment is certainly. He was unique, typified the best of his generation, and will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him.’
Mr. Cribbins, a friend of The Beatles and numerous megastars such as David Niven, recently put his long life and career down “good luck and nothing”. When he turned 90 he said: “It’s just a number” and insisted he would never retire.
But last October he was devastated when his wife Gillian, whom he married in 1955, died. They walked down the aisle a year before his acting debut in a TV adaptation of David Copperfield. They lived in Surrey and were childless, having suffered the heartbreak of a series of miscarriages.
Bernard said that his work in children’s television and films, particularly The Railway Boys, gave him “a very warm feeling to think of all those who saw him as a child” and helped him to facing the sadness of not being able to have their own. .
He later beat prostate cancer and survived triple heart bypass surgery in 1997. He also suffered a spinal injury that left him unable to walk long distances. That’s why his much-loved CBeebies series Old Jack’s Boat was filmed with him sitting around telling stories of the sea that captivated young viewers.
David Tennant and Catherine Tate return to Dr Who alongside Bernard Cribbins in what is believed to be Bernard Cribbins’ last photo in May
Bernard Cribbins, pictured with his wife Gillian, who died last year, has died aged 93
Bernard Cribbins as ‘Wilf’ in the 2009 episode of Doctor Who; ‘The End of Time, Part One’, alongside David Tennant
Mr Cribbins, pictured in 2018, worked into his 90s and dedicated his long life to ‘good luck and nothing’
Mr Cribbins in the much-loved film adaptation of Railway Children. He and his wife were unable to have children, but he said that his work on this film and other successes helped him cope with the pain.
Bernard was a famous comic actor, pictured left measuring Barbara Windsor’s chest in Carry on Spying in 1964 and right in the 1963 hit Carry on Jack.
Born in Oldham, Cribbins was revered for his versatility and became a favorite with young audiences across the country as the narrator of The Wombles, as well as more than 100 appearances in children’s favorite Jackanory.
After many years appearing on stage, Cribbins made his film debut in 1957’s Davy, before working alongside some of the biggest names in British cinema in films such as Two-Way Stretch, She, Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 AD, the 1967 version of Casino Royale and Frenzy.
He also starred in several Carry On films and had roles in TV favorites Coronation Street and the revamped Doctor Who.
Off-screen Cribbins enjoyed a successful music career and had a number of hit records, including the 1962 comedy songs Hole In The Ground and Right Said Fred, both of which reached the top 10 on the UK singles.
Arguably one of the roles for which he is most famous was as station porter Albert Perks in The Railway Children, released in 1970.
The film adaptation of E Nesbit’s book chronicles the adventures of three children forced to move from London to Yorkshire after their father is imprisoned on false charges of selling state secrets.
The film also starred a young Jenny Agutter and featured the famous tear-jerking moment at the film’s climax when Agutter’s character cries out “daddy, my dad” as they meet on the train platform . Cribbins played station keeper Albert Perks.
In 2011 he was awarded an OBE for services to drama for his long career. Speaking at the investiture ceremony, he said that providing the voices of characters such as Uncle Bulgaria, Tobermory and Orinoco was simple because of the way The Wombles was written.
“The structure of the writing was such that I knew exactly where everyone was socially in that household,” he said.
He appeared regularly in the Doctor Who television series as Wilfred Mott, the grandfather of the Doctor’s companion Donna Noble, played by Catherine Tate.
Voyage Of The Damned, which aired on Christmas Day 2007, saw 13.31 million people tune in to see then-Doctor David Tennant fight to save the crew of a luxury spaceship called Titanic.
Cribbins appeared in the episode along with special guests including Kylie Minogue, Geoffrey Palmer, Clive Swift and Russell Tovey.
He also had the lead role in the CBeebies program Old Jack’s Boat and in the 1960s narrated the Tufty Fluffytale series of road safety public information films.
More recently, reports said Cribbins had been spotted filming alongside Tate and Tennant for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary celebrations.