Veteran children's TV actor Bernard Cribbins dies aged 93

Bernard Cribbins, an actor who has been entertaining us for over 60 years has died aged 93

He was well known for his roles in The Railway Children, Doctor Who, Old Jack's Boat and narrating the Wombles.

His comedy singles Hole In The Ground and Right, Said Fred both made the top 10, while Gossip Calypso was another top 30 hit.

He remained enduringly proud of his musical output and in 2009 told the PA news agency: “Hole In The Ground… here’s a little story for you – Noel Coward chose it as one of his Desert Island Discs.

“He chose it as the only record if he could only have one.”

Cribbin's agent confirmed his death

Cribbins’ agent, Gavin Barker Associates, said in a statement: “Beloved actor Bernard Cribbins OBE has passed away at the age of 93. His career spanned seven decades with such diverse work ranging from films like ‘The Railway Children’ and the ‘Carry On’ series, hit 60’s song ‘Right Said Fred’, a notorious guest on ‘Fawlty Towers’ and narrating ‘The Wombles’.

“He worked well into his 90’s, recently appearing 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 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.”

Seven decades of entertaining

Bernard Cribbins was one of the most versatile and popular entertainers of his generation, managing to be a favourite on children’s TV while also starring in the bawdy Carry On films.

He could turn his hand to virtually any aspect of showbusiness, from Shakespeare to pantomime, from soap operas to pop music.

His diverse talents ensured he was always in demand, regardless of whether the role called for a straight or comedic performer, and during the 1970s and ’80s he was never far from TV screens.

Cribbins, who has died at the age of 93, was particularly known for his work on The Railway Children and Jackanory.

Dame Floella Benjamin, a doyen of children’s TV, described him as a “treasure for our nation’s children”.

In 1970 he starred in the film adaptation of The Railway Children, playing station porter Albert Perks.

On TV, he was the narrator of all 60 episodes of The Wombles, and made no fewer than 111 appearances on the children’s storytelling show Jackanory.

And in 2006 came a return to the Doctor Who universe, after he had played a companion to the Time Lord in 1966 film Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 AD.

He played Wilfred Mott in the show’s 2007 Christmas special alongside David Tennant as the Doctor and Kylie Minogue as his companion.

Another appearance came in the two-part Doctor Who specials of 2009-10.

Cribbins, who played a spoon salesman opposite John Cleese in Fawlty Towers as well as working with Alfred Hitchcock on 1972 thriller Frenzy, was made an OBE in 2011 for services to drama.

Three years later he was honoured with the JM Barrie Award for his work on children’s TV.

The then-director of BBC children’s programmes, Joe Godwin, said: “Bernard has been a big part of so many of our childhoods.”

Cribbins returned to the storytelling format with pre-school series Old Jack’s Boat in 2013, giving a new generation the gift of his skills as raconteur.

Working well into his 80s, Cribbins said: “I love it. I can’t stop. Why should I?”

In May reports said the actor had been seen on set filming alongside David Tennant and Catherine Tate for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary celebrations next year.

Other famous faces we've lost this year

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