Among the many tributes to Bernard Cribbins OBE in Doctor Who Magazine 581 are a few from people who worked with him on the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials set to air in 2023.

Cribbins, who plays Wilfred (Wilf) Mott, Donna Noble’s grandfather on Doctor Who, was spotted filming 60th anniversary scenes in Camden on 16 May, 2022. He passed away on on 28 July, 2022.

Jacqueline King, who plays Wilf’s daughter and Donna Noble’s mother Sylvia Noble, praised Cribbins’ brilliance.

“We discovered we had many things in common. We loved doing cryptic crosswords together. Of course, he got many more answers than I did. When I last saw him, back in May this year, I handed him my newspaper. Within minutes he’d solved three clues that I’d been struggling with! Not bad for 93, eh? And while working with him, I hardly had to act – just react. The only difficulty would be trying not to laugh.”

Executive Producer Phil Collinson praised his vibrancy.

“The last time I saw him he was working – he loved to work – and he was on great form. He was quite frail and in a wheelchair, but then, the minute the camera was on him, he came alive. Oh, it was lovely to see.”

Donna’s dad right??? #dwsr pic.twitter.com/0Gi9pu4pLW

— 🦄 (@fierce_unicorn) May 16, 2022

Bad Wolf co-founder and Doctor Who producer Julie Gardner praised his joie de vivre.

“Even in his 90s, Bernard was still a big-hearted kid. There was a childlike joy to the man. I saw him a couple of months ago – we went for dinner – and he was still razor-sharp and funny, and it was humbling and brilliant to spend time with him. My God, what a life! What a career.”

Past and present Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies had nothing but love in his tribute.

“It’s got to be said, he loved being in Doctor Who.”

“The story does not end there. There are more tales of Bernard to come. But in time, okay? Wait till the right time. Although I hope the stories never end.”

Doctor Who Magazine 581 is available at news stands in the UK and by digital issue.