I am genuinely heartbroken as I write this. I’ve spent the day reading tributes, watching compilations of his greatest moments and all my favourite photos and quotes.
Bernard Cribbins was a staple of British acting for over 70 years. His career covered stage, screens big and small, music and radio. Some of his most famous roles included being a Jackanory story teller for over 100 episodes, Mr Hutchinson in Fawlty Towers and the much beloved Wilfred Mott in Doctor Who.
It is Mr Wilfred Mott who first introduced me to the indomitable human being, Bernard Cribbins and it is through Wilfred that I wish to pay tribute to Mr Cribbins.
Some of you might have seen my post on Facebook after the news of his death broke. I said that once I could stop crying, I would have more to say about the man that meant so much to a lonely little girl, staying up past her bedtime to watch Doctor Who.
For those who don’t know Cribbins actually appeared as a companion in the original Doctor Who series, before returning as the iconic Wilfred Mott, Donna Noble’s (AKA – Catherine Tate) grandfather, a recurring role he played over the span of 3 years.
I have no qualms in saying that Wilfred was the Doctor’s biggest fan and supporter throughout everything. When he saw Donna waving from the Tardis as she flew away with the Doctor for adventures abound, Wilf may have been more excited than his granddaughter. When Donna doubted herself and her choices, Wilf was her biggest cheerleader, encouraging her to go with the Doctor and see the stars. All he asked was that she “bring a bit of them back for your old gramps”. He had undying faith in his granddaughter and the Doctor, which did not change even after Donna had to have her mind wiped of all memories of the Doctor and the wonderful things they did together.
Watch below to see the first time Bernard/Wilf broke my heart:
Wilfred Mott believed in the Doctor. Bernard Cribbins brought Wilfred to life and without him I truly think Wilf would not have been as beloved as he was. According to actors and writers of the show Bernard threw himself into everything with a passion you can’t teach. One said how Bernard would show up to set with a bag full of his own props to see what he could work into the scene, including calling writer Russell T. Davis and suggesting he go up against a Dalek with a paintball gun.
And into the show it went.
Bernard Cribbins’s emotional aptitude, his skill in front of the camera and just the pure joy for life he brought to everything but particularly Doctor Who, is why he was so important for me, then and now.
I believed in the Doctor twice as hard because of Wilf. I watched Bernard Cribbins’s Doctor Who episodes on repeat whenever I am sad. When my real Grampa died, Mr Cribbins became my stand-in Grandad.
I never got my letter to Hogwarts when I turned 11. Peter Pan never came to my window and I never found Narnia in the back of the wardrobe. Some dreams fall away as you get older.
But I still choose to believe that somewhere out in this great big universe, there is an impossibly old, two-hearted alien, showing the stars to a British legend and everyone’s favourite honorary grandad.
Reindeer antlers and all.
Rest well, Mr Cribbins, it has been our honour. You are and will always be missed.
Bernard Cribbins OBE 1928 - 2022
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