Russell T. Davies pays tribute to Doctor Who actor Bernard Cribbins
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies has paid tribute to veteran actor Bernard Cribbins following his death.
Cribbins' agent announced on Thursday that the British actor had died at the age of 93. In addition to narrating The Wombles and starring in The Railway Children film adaptation, Cribbins was also known for playing recurring character Wilfred Mott, the grandfather of the companion Donna Noble, in Doctor Who.
The programme's showrunner Davies swiftly posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram in which he declared, "I love this man. I love him."
Sharing his memories of Cribbins, Davies wrote, "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!"
Davies added that Cribbins loved his wife Gill, who passed away last year, "with all his heart" and concluded, "I'm so lucky to have known him. Thanks for everything, my old soldier. A legend has left the world."
Cribbins, whose career spanned seven decades, was also known for appearing in the Carry On film series, playing a notorious guest on Fawlty Towers and the title character in children's show Old Jack's Boat, as well as his '60s novelty songs such as Right Said Fred.
