Oldham actor Bernard Cribbins to make Doctor Who appearance

The actor, who started a job at Oldham Coliseum, then called the Oldham Repertory Theatre, when he was aged just 14, will make an appearance on TV screens this November in his role as Wilfred Mott in the long-running sci-fi series Doctor Who.

The recurring character role sees the actor play his part as the grandfather of companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate). 

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The news was announced by David Tennant, who will also be returning as the Doctor for a collection of special episodes to mark the program’s 60th anniversary, which will also see the debut of the new Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa.

David Tennant and Catherine Tate will reprise their roles in the special episodes of Doctor Who (Image: BBC)

The actor was speaking at a question-and-answer session as part of the GalaxyCon convention in Richmond, Virginia, United States, held between March 24 and March 26.

Answering a question from an audience member, who asked Tennant to share memories of Cribbins, the actor responded: “He was one of these human beings who just channels warmth, and I think that’s what comes across in his acting.

“That’s why Wilfred is such a wonderful character. All that twinkle and all that humanity is just what Bernard brought for free.

“He just was one of those people that everyone adored, and having him on set was just always a joyous experience, and he was still going strong.

“He was working into his 90s and when we came back to the show again, we knew that Catherine Tate was coming back to play Donna and then very quickly the talk went ‘is Bernard- can we get Wilfred back, can granddad be back on set?’

“And he was getting old and a little bit infirm by then but he was still full of beans and full of energy, and I’m thrilled to say that, though very sadly he wasn’t in those episodes as much as we hoped, he was on set with us and Wilfred lives on, and Bernard, who is much missed and much grieved for, but I’m so excited that his final on-screen performance will be, I have the great honour of being part of, and you’ll see it all on your screens before the year is out.”

The news was greeted by loud applause from the American audience.

Earlier this year, the BAFTAs were criticised for leaving out Bernard Cribbins from its 'in memory of' montage.

Ncuti Gatwa will debut as the fifteenth Doctor in the special episodes (Image: Ian West/PA)

In July, following the actor’s passing, a statement from Gavin Barker Associates said: “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 60s song Right Said Fred, a notorious guest on Fawlty Towers and narrating The Wombles.

“He worked well into his 90s, 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.”