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David Tennant, Russell T Davies pay tribute to Bernard Cribbins after 'Doctor Who' actor dies at 93

The actor was the voice of the 'Wombles' and also appeared as a barman in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Frenzy'

'Doctor Who' and 'Wombles' actor Bernard Cribbins has died aged 93. Born in Oldham, England, Cribbins' career spanned over eight decades and also included hits like 'Fawlty Towers.' He was well-known for his role alongside Catherine Tate and David Tennant in 'Doctor Who'. Cribbins was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009 but successfully recovered after radiotherapy.

Cribbins first appeared in the 'Doctor Who' universe as Tom Campbell in the 1966 film, 'Daleks Invasion Earth 2150 AD.' He eventually returned in the revival series as Wilfred Mott, the father of Sylvia Noble and the grandfather of Donna Noble, the companion of the Tenth Doctor. Cribbins continued to appear as Mott in the 2008 episodes 'Partners in Crime', 'The Sontaran Stratagem', 'The Poison Sky', 'Turn Left', 'The Stolen Earth', and 'Journey's End'. Mott’s character was a believer in extraterrestrial life who helped keep his granddaughter’s adventures as the Doctor’s companion a secret from her mother.

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The life and career of Bernard Cribbins

Cribbins made his debut in 'David Copperfield' in 1956 and has been a regular face on silver screens. The actor was the voice of the 'Wombles', Catherine Tate's cuddly grandpa in 'Doctor Who', and the irate-but-soft-hearted station master who tugged at heartstrings in the 1970 film 'The Railway Children'.

Cribbins met Gillian McBarnet when he joined the Oldham Coliseum, a famous theatre in England. They got married in 1955 and lived together in Weybridge, Surrey. McBarnet passed away on October 11, 2021, after 66 years of marriage. They had no children.

As an actor, comedian, and singer, Cribbins was considered a jack of all trades. He switched from Shakespeare to pantomime with ease, as he did from 'Jackanory' to 'Top of the Pops.' Cribbins, who left school at 13, became well-known in the UK for having a string of successful novelty records in the 1960s such as 'Right Said Fred' and 'The Hole in the Ground' - a monologue that Noel Coward selected as one of his Desert Island Discs. In the 1970s, he landed some major big-screen roles, including barman Felix Forsythe in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Frenzy'. He made a noteworthy appearance in an episode of 'Fawlty Towers' as a voluble spoon salesman, who is mistaken for a hotel inspector by an increasingly manic Basil Fawlty. In 2018, his autobiography, 'Bernard Who? 75 Years Of Doing Just About Anything', was published by Constable.

Tribute to the legend

Many celebrities shared fond memories and paid tribute to the deceased actor. David Tennant shared a scene from the show and tweeted, "In memory of Bernard Cribbins (who has passed away), one of his and David's most emotional scenes from #DoctorWho".

Russel T Davies, Executive producer of 'Doctor Who,' wrote on Instagram, "Bernard Cribbins (1928-2022) I love this man. I love him. That’s him as Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. D’you fancy doing some Shakespeare, Bernard? “Let me see the script.” 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. He said, ‘Children are calling me grandad in the street!’ His first day was on location with Kylie Minogue, but all eyes, even Kylie’s, were on Bernard. He’d turned up with a suitcase full of props, just in case, including a rubber chicken."

Davies also reflected on Cribbins' talent, adding, "And what an actor. Oh, really though, what a wonderful actor. We once took him to the TV Choice Awards and sent him up on his own to collect the award, and the entire room stood up and cheered him. That’s a lovely memory. He’d phone up and say, ‘I’ve got an idea! What if I attack a Dalek with a paintball gun?!’ Okay, Bernard, in it went! He loved Gill with all his heart; he mentioned her in every conversation we ever had. A love story for the ages. I’m so lucky to have known him. Thanks for everything, my old soldier. A legend has left the world."

The Twitter handle of 'Doctor Who' said, "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.". 'I dreamed a dream' singer Elaine Page tweeted a sweet note in memory of him, "I'm so very sad. My dear pal Bernard Cribbins has died. We met on Anything Goes & kept our 'Friendship' for over 33 yrs. A very special man of many talents. Funny, kind, genuine, always had a smile on his face & a quip. One of the good guys. I will miss him so very much. RIP". Scott Bryan also tweeted, "When I think of Bernard Cribbins I think of this scene".  

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