Russell T.Davies has paid tribute to Dr Who star Bernard Cribbins, who has died at the age of 93
The veteran actor played Wilfred Mott in the time travelling series between 2007 and 2010 and filmed scenes to return this year for the 60th anniversary special.
Show creator Russell paid tribute to the star, saying: "A legend has left the world", referring to Bernard on Instagram as "an old soldier".
Alongside a picture of the veteran actor with his face poking through the hole of a fake brick wall, he wrote: "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 TH 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. 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."
BBC entertainment correspondent Lizo Mzimba also shared his sorrow, saying: "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."
Meanwhile Little Britain star Matt Lucas tweeted: "Thank you Bernard Cribbins for delighting us all. A lovely, funny, brilliantly talented man."
Legendary singer Elaine Page met Bernard on the set of Anything Goes and also paid tribute to her friend on Twitter.
Sharing a pic of the pair, she wrote: "I'm so very sad. My dear pal Bernard Cribbins has died. We met on Anything Goes and kept our 'Friendship' for over 33 years.
A very special man of many talents. Funny, kind, genuine, always had a smile on his face. One of the good guys. I will miss him so very much."
Charlatans singer Tim Burgess also paid tribute to the star, tweeting: "Farewell Bernard Cribbins. Safe travels."
Meanwhile, 'Allo 'Allo! actress Vicki Michelle said she was 'saddened' to hear of Bernard's passing.
She tweeted: "So sad to hear to hear of the passing of Bernard Cribbins OBE. Great actor and lovely man."
With work ranging from films including The Railway Children and the ‘Carry On’ series to hit 60’s song ‘Right Said Fred’ - the star is a huge loss to the entertainment industry.
Twitter is awash with fans paying tribute to Bernard with many praising the actor for his impressive body of work.
One said: "The loveliest actor that ever was has left the stage. Fly high."
While another wrote: "Bernard Cribbins was a hero to every generation."
Bernard's agent broke the news of the actor's passing this morning, writing: “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.”
