Actor Bernard Cribbins has died at 93 years old, his agent has confirmed today.
The Oldham-born star was best known for his roles in The Railway Children, Doctor Who, and for his narration of The Wombles.
Bernard’s agent, Gavin Barker Associates, said in a statement that the entertainer will be ‘greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him’.
The full statement said: “Beloved actor Bernard Cribbins OBE has passed away at the age of 93.
Bernard Cribbins in The Railway Children. Credit: EMI\STUDIOCANAL/Allstar
“His career spanned seven decades with such diverse work ranging from films like ‘The Railway Children’ and the ‘Carry On’ series, hit 60’s song ‘Right Said Fred’, a notorious guest on ‘Fawlty Towers’ and narrating ‘The Wombles’.
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“He worked well into his 90’s, recently appearing in ‘Doctor Who’ and the CBeebies series ‘Old Jack’s Boat’. He lost his wife of 66 years, Gill, last year.
Bernard Cribbins in Doctor Who. Credit: BBC
“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.”
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Tributes have already begun to pour in for the ‘genuine national treasure’.
One statement said: “Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Bernard Cribbins. This man was such a special, unique, beloved talent in the world. He will be remembered by many generations, forever. My thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP to a wonderful man.”
Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Bernard Cribbins.
This man was such a special, unique, beloved talent in the world. He will be remembered by many generations, forever.
— Bad Wolf Archives (@BadWolfArchives) July 28, 2022
Another wrote: “Bernard Cribbins has died at the age of 93. From the Wombles to Wilf in Doctor Who he entertained generation after generation. A genuine national treasure #RIPBernardCribbins.”
Bernard Cribbins has died at the age of 93. From the Wombles to Wilf in Doctor Who he entertained generation after generation. A genuine national treasure #RIPBernardCribbinspic.twitter.com/PrwxKv6kpJ
Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear diagnosed with dementia
Danny Jones
Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear, who famously played the iconic character Bet Lynch for over 25 years, has sadly been diagnosed with dementia.
Issuing a statement via ITV, her husband Scott Brand confirmed that they had been given the “heartbreaking diagnosis” this week.
Goodyear, 81, played the legendary Rovers Return pub landlord for over two decades across two different spells on the show, starting in 1966 before leaving the show for good in 1995.
Brand told the outlet on Wednesday: “Unfortunately, Julie has been suffering forgetfulness for some time and we have been seeking medical advice and assistance, but we now know that there is no hope of a reversal in the situation – and that her condition will get progressively, and perhaps speedily, worse.”
Coronation Street's Julie Goodyear is suffering with dementia, her husband has revealed.https://t.co/4CZwt5KbGJ
— ITV Granada Reports (@GranadaReports) June 7, 2023
Julie Goodyear has been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 81.
He went on to say that he and Goodyear “have taken the decision to publicly announce the diagnosis as Julie still loves visiting friends and eating out”, noting that she inevitably gets recognised “and fans love to meet her – and she them – but she can get confused particularly if she is tired” and adding they “hope people will understand.”
The Manc soap star and household name is from Heywood in Rochdale and retired from acting in 2003 after making her final special appearance on the Coronation Street spin-off, After Hours.
Fans baffled as Arctic Monkeys spotted boozing in a Manchester Wetherspoons
Daisy Jackson
We all know by now that Arctic Monkeys were in Manchester over the weekend, with two sold-out shows at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.
But what many people weren’t expecting is for the rockstars to pop up in a pretty well-known pub in the city centre.
And they didn’t pick some cool trendy craft beer bar – nope, these lads went for the cheapest option possible.
Two members of Arctic Monkeys were spotted nursing pints outside The Moon Under Water, of all places, between performing to 50,000-strong crowds.
Fans stopped to take pictures with bassist Nick O’Malley and guitarist Jamie Cook, as well as touring band member Tom Rowley, at the Wetherspoons pub on Deansgate.
People have all been pretty bemused by their choice of watering hole, unsurprisingly.
One person wrote: “You’re not telling me Arctic Monkeys are having a booze in the Moon Under The Water on Deansgate hahahaha.”
Another said: “Imagine bumping into some of the monkeys in a Wetherspoons hahaha.”
Someone else pointed out: “Biggest band in the country and they’re drinking carling in spoons.”
It’s also drawn comparisons to the iconic ‘Four lads in jeans’ meme.
It’s the second weird celebrity sighting this week, after Pink was spotted swinging her way around Total Ninja in Trafford Park at her daughter’s 12 birthday party.
Pink is about to perform two huge shows at the University of Bolton stadium in Greater Manchester.
Arctic Monkeys were pictured over a sunny weekend in Manchester, where they’d performed two gigs in Trafford.
The Sheffield band’s triumphant return will peak later this week when they perform in their hometown at Hillsborough Park.