Actor Bernard Cribbins dies aged 93

Actor Bernard Cribbins, whose stage and screen career spanned seven decades, has died aged 93. 

Cribbins’ varied career included Shakespeare, pop hits, pantomime and musicals. 

Among his theatre credits are the National Theatre’s Guys and Dolls and a string of Ray Cooney farces.

Screen credits included narrating the 1970s children’s programme The Wombles, playing the stationmaster Perks in The Railway Children and Tom Campbell in Doctor Who. 

Born in Oldham in 1928, Cribbins left school aged 14 and went to work as an assistant stage manager at his local theatre, the Oldham Rep, later returning to Oldham as an adult member of the company. 

By 1955 he married actor Gillian Charles, who died in 2021, and was starting to become more prominent in theatre, gaining roles in shows including Salad Days in the West End. Cribbins went on to make his film debut in 1957 in war film Yangtse Incident.

Cribbins’ agent Gavin Barker Associates confirmed that the performer had died in a statement on social media. 

The statement said: "Bernard’s contribution to British entertainment is without question. 

"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."

Former Doctor Who show runner Russell T Davies paid tribute to Cribbins on social media. 

Davies said: "He knew everyone. He’d talk about the Beatles and David Niven, and how he once sat on the stairs at a party impersonating bird calls with T H White. Then he’d add, ‘I said to Ashley Banjo last week...’ He loved being in Doctor Who."

Davies added: "I’m so lucky to have known him. Thanks for everything, my old soldier. A legend has left the world."