FILE - Actor and presenter Bernard Cribbins looks on after receiving the annual J M Barrie Award for a lifetime of unforgettable work for children on stage, film, television and record, at the Radio Theatre, Broadcasting House in central London, Nov. 13, 2014. Cribbins, a beloved British entertainer whose seven-decade career ranged from the bawdy 'Carry On' comedies to children's television and 'Doctor Who,' has died. He was 93. Agent Gavin Barker Associates announced Cribbins' death on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (Nicholas T Ansell/PA via AP, File)
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - Bernard Cribbins, a beloved British entertainer whose seven-decade career ranged from the bawdy 'œCarry On'ť comedies to children's television and 'œDoctor Who,'ť has died. He was 93.
Agent Gavin Barker Associates announced Cribbins' death on Thursday.
'œBernard's contribution to British entertainment is without question,'ť it said. 'œHe 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.'ť
A warm, avuncular character actor, Cribbins was a childhood presence for several generations of Britons. He played station porter Albert Perks in the 1970 movie classic 'œThe Railway Children'ť and voiced all the characters in 'œThe Wombles,'ť a 1970s animated series about a family of burrowing creatures living under London's Wimbledon Common.
Cribbins also was the voice of road-safety squirrel Tufty Fluffytail in a series of public information films, and held the record for the most appearances - more than 100 - on children's storytelling TV series 'œJackanory.'ť
Born into a poor family in Oldham, northwest England, in 1928, Cribbins left school in his early teens and got his start as a stage manager and bit player in regional repertory theater.
He moved on to West End productions before appearing in a dizzying range of British films, including 1960 comedy 'œTwo-Way Stretch'ť alongside Peter Sellers; 1966 'œDoctor Who'ť spinoff 'œDaleks' Invasion Earth 2150 AD'ť; the 1967 James Bond spoof 'œCasino Royale'ť; and one of Alfred Hitchcock's final thrillers, 'œFrenzy'ť in 1972.
He appeared in several movies in the 'œCarry On'ť series, was a memorable guest star on classic sitcom 'œFawlty Towers'ť and had top 10 hits with comedy songs 'œHole in the Ground'ť and 'œRight Said Fred.'ť
A younger generation knew Cribbins as Wilfred Mott, a companion to David Tennant's titular Doctor, when 'ťDoctor Who'ť was revived in the early 21st century. He appeared in another BBC children's series, 'œOld Jack's Boat,'ť between 2013 and 2015, and filmed scenes earlier this year for an upcoming 'œDoctor Who'ť 60th-anniversary special.
'œDoctor Who'ť showrunner Russell T. Davies remembered Cribbins as 'œa wonderful actor.'ť
'œI'm so lucky to have known him ,'ť Davies said. 'œThanks for everything, my old soldier. A legend has left the world.'ť
Cribbins' wife of 66 years, Gill, died last year.
FILE Actor Bernard Cribbins poses in this Dec. 1, 1962 photo. Cribbins, a beloved British entertainer whose seven-decade career ranged from the bawdy 'Carry On' comedies to children's television and 'Doctor Who,' has died. He was 93. Agent Gavin Barker Associates announced Cribbins' death on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (PA via AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE Actor Bernard Cribbins with actresses, Sally Thomsett, left and Jenny Agutter, filming The Railway Children on location, in Oakworth, England, July 2, 1970. Cribbins, a beloved British entertainer whose seven-decade career ranged from the bawdy 'Carry On' comedies to children's television and 'Doctor Who,' has died. He was 93. Agent Gavin Barker Associates announced Cribbins' death on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (PA via AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - Actor Bernard Cribbins OBE poses for photographers as he arrives for the British Academy Children's Awards in London, Sunday, Nov. 23 2014. Cribbins, a beloved British entertainer whose seven-decade career ranged from the bawdy 'Carry On' comedies to children's television and 'Doctor Who,' has died. He was 93. Agent Gavin Barker Associates announced Cribbins' death on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (Photo by Grant Pollard/Invision/AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE Actor and presenter Bernard Cribbins, reads an excerpt from Winnie the Pooh after he received the annual J M Barrie Award for a lifetime of unforgettable work for children on stage, film, television and record, at the Radio Theatre at Broadcasting House in central London, Nov. 13, 2014. Cribbins, a beloved British entertainer whose seven-decade career ranged from the bawdy 'Carry On' comedies to children's television and 'Doctor Who,' has died. He was 93. Agent Gavin Barker Associates announced Cribbins' death on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (Nicholas.T.Ansell/PA via AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - Bernard Cribbins arrives at Waterloo Station, in London onboard the 66 tonne Stirling Single, the train used in the original Railway Children film, June 3, 2010. Cribbins, a beloved British entertainer whose seven-decade career ranged from the bawdy 'Carry On' comedies to children's television and 'Doctor Who,' has died. He was 93. Agent Gavin Barker Associates announced Cribbins' death on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (Anthony Devlin/PA via AP, File)
The Associated Press