Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has taken to social media to express his feelings after BAFTA didn’t include Bernard Cribbins in its in memoriam tribute on Sunday, February 19. The actor passed away in July last year aged 93.
In a post on Instagram, the 59-year-old writer from Swansea shared a photo of BAFTA’s response to a tweet asking why they didn't include Cribbins. The charity described how the late actor would be “considered for inclusion in the next Television Awards broadcast”.
Davies said of this: “It’s fair enough to remember Bernard Cribbins at the TV @bafta, not the film. To say he’s being ‘considered’ is the work of an idiot.” Cribbins famously worked with Davies on Doctor Who, where he played the character of Wilfred Mott during David Tennant’s final season as the Time Lord. He is set to return for his final role in the 60th anniversary specials later this year. Read more about that here.
Read more: Bernard Cribbins dead: Doctor Who and Wombles star dies aged 93
Davies was not alone to critique BAFTA’s decision. TV presenter Gaby Roslin replied: “Well said. What about his films? He was a true star, a wonderful actor and a joy and was so dearly loved.”
Meanwhile, film and TV director Douglas Mackinnon commented: “As someone who not only followed Bernard Cribbins' amazing career as a viewer, but also had the honour of working with him on Doctor Who, I’d love to be reassured as a BAFTA member that he will be remembered in the ‘in memoriam’ section of the TV awards? (Same also messaged to BAFTA)”
A further person wrote: “Well said Russell, i said the same thing over on Twitter. He should be a definite entry, not ‘considered.” And the feelings were echoed by another, who wrote: “CONSIDERED! Do you have no inkling whatsoever, what Bernard meant to the British public.”
Over the course of his long career, Cribbins appeared in countless TV and films. His film roles included the likes of The Railway Children, Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy and the 1966 Doctor Who spin-off, Daleks’ Invasion of the Earth 2160 A.D.
BAFTA later announced in a statement: "Bernard Cribbins will be remembered in our upcoming BAFTA Television Awards ceremony broadcast in May."' For more showbiz and television stories, get our newsletter here.
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