British television, movie and recording actor Bernard Cribbins OBE died on 28 July at age 93, his agent has confirmed.
— Gavin Barker Associates (@GavBarkAssoc) July 28, 2022
Born Bernard Joseph Cribbins in Oldham in 1928, Cribbins left school at 13 and found work as an assistant stage manager at a local theatre club, taking on small acting roles before serving an apprenticeship at the Oldham Repertory Theatre.
In 2018, he published an autobiography looking back on his seven decades in show business, Bernard Who? 75 Years Of Doing Absolutely Everything.
Among his many acting roles, Cribbins narrated children’s programme The Wombles in the 1970s. He has also read stories for Jackanory from 1966 to 1991.
He starred in The Railway Children with Sally Thomsett, Gary Warren and Jenny Agutter, for which he earned a BAFTA nomination.
Cribbins is contemporarily best known for playing the role of Donna Noble’s grandfather Wilfred Mott on Doctor Who.
He was spotted filming Doctor Who for the 60th anniversary of the programme in Camden on 16 May.
Donna’s dad right??? #dwsr pic.twitter.com/0Gi9pu4pLW
— 🦄 (@fierce_unicorn) May 16, 2022
Past and current Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies shared a touching tribute to him in Instagram.
Cribbins also played Tom Campbell in the 1966 Doctor Who film Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. in which Peter Cushing played Dr. Who.
Tributes poured in on social media.
We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Bernard Cribbins. Known best to Doctor Who fans as the Doctor's friend and Donna's grandad Wilfred Mott, Bernard leaves behind a long legacy in film and TV. ❤️ https://t.co/wDIUnQkJOZ pic.twitter.com/6Dlr1Xj59y
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) July 28, 2022
Bernard brought humour, wit and warmth to the screen and also to the set. He was the heart and soul of the Noble family and looked up to the stars on screen and in life. He will be hugely missed by everyone on Doctor Who and all our thoughts are with this family at this time.❤️❤️ https://t.co/LlsbVyuMEP
— Bad Wolf (@BadWolf_TV) July 28, 2022
Bernard Cribbins (DWM 532) 🤍✨ pic.twitter.com/Pko1oG4ExM
— Emily Cook (@Emily_Rosina) July 28, 2022
Too true pic.twitter.com/dhkioWUzum
— Matthew Sweet (@DrMatthewSweet) July 28, 2022
Bernard Cribbins has died at the age of 93. From the Wombles to Wilf in Doctor Who he entertained generation after generation. A genuine national treasure #RIPBernardCribbins pic.twitter.com/PrwxKv6kpJ
— lizo mzimba (@lizo_mzimba) July 28, 2022
"We are all deeply saddened at his passing." Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children's and Education, pays tribute to Bernard Cribbins. pic.twitter.com/uOh1b9Zr6C
— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) July 28, 2022
RIP Bernard Cribbins. Absolute legend. (Pictured here with Clare Buckfield and Stephen Gately at the recording of #DoctorWho: The Horror of Glam Rock in August 2006.) 💔 pic.twitter.com/Uqypegdx3L
— Big Finish Insider (@bigfinish) July 28, 2022
It was so special to work with Bernard Cribbins – king of props and stories to make hair curl – RIP #OldJacksBoat @bbccomedy pic.twitter.com/Qw3rSQkjGe
— Helen Lederer (@HelenLederer) July 28, 2022
Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Bernard Cribbins, who sadly passed away at the age of 93.
We'll be having a cheese salad for lunch, in honour of his memorable appearance in Fawlty Towers. pic.twitter.com/wUc57k9jy0
— GOLD (@goldchannel) July 28, 2022
Farewell Bernard Cribbins. Safe travels pic.twitter.com/ij3yt6wkG2
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) July 28, 2022
Doctor Who fans will be treated to one last performance by Bernard Cribbins as Wilf as part of the Doctor Who 60th anniversary celebrations in 2023. Fans are excitedly anticipating three Doctor Who specials starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate as part of the celebration.