Bernard Cribbins On His Adventures In Time And Space
Written by Ian Cullen on December 23, 2009 – 1:05 pm -
When I heard that Bernard Cribbins was to return to Doctor Who for the final two specials I jumped for joy.
To many people in their 30s and 40s that were born and raised in the UK Bernard Cribbins is about as iconic a name as they come. In the 70s and 80s Bernard was everywhere and everything and always had an easy going charm about him. Even when he was playing more edgier roles. And it is that talent of portraying very human role models that really sells us on the character of Wilf.
During the fourth season Cribbins was Donna’s Grand father Wilf, only its a somewhat more different and heroic Wilf we’ll be getting to see in the specials. In fact the first episode of the two parter centres very much in on Wilf as he and the Doctor hook up and investigate what it is that is causing everyone to have such bad dreams.
And its fair to say that Cribbins and his association with the new Doctor Who series has been a coming of age for the actor, and has introduced him to a whole new generation. And when speaking to Doctor Who Magazine in a recent interview. Cribbins revealed how in awe he was at the journey that Wilf has been on.
“I just thought, well. I’m this silly old fart selling newspapers,” he laughs. “As you get older, you play different sorts of roles, obviously, and Wildred has been lovely, because he’s had many aspects to him. To finish off actually in the TARDIS, and doing all the bits and bobs up in space, has been wonderful – and the monsters and everything else.”
Those who think Wilf will slow things down in the episode should think again.
“He’s a gutsy old bugger still. He still has pop. He doesn’t take too many prisoners, and he absolutely adores the Doctor.”
Of course the character of Wilf in the Doctor Who Universe is from a generation of people who did National Service in the armed forces. And in the episode there is a refference to Wilf having fought in Palestine in 1948. Which is actually a refference to Bernard Cribbins own national service during that time.
“That is for real,” he grins. “I didn’t know that was coming in the script, but Russell and I must have spoken about it, because I really was in Palestine in 1947 into 1948. I left there in April, towards the end of the Mandate; the state of Israel was founded in May 1948. Russell kindly put that into the script. And when I first played Wilf, in the Christmas thing with Kylie, I asked if I could put my Para badge on my red Arran hat – do you remember? I had a sprig of holly, too. We filmed in July, and I brought a sprig of holly from home, and the berries were green of course, so – this is really anal – I painted them with red nail – varnish! I stuck it in the hat alongside my badge.”
You can read much more of this interview with Bernard Cribbins in the current issue of Doctor Who Magazine, which is out now.
Related posts:
- Simm Returning To Doctor Who
- Comic Book Adventures in Time and Space!
- Tennant To Guest In Sarah Jane Adventures
- BBC Announce Doctor Who Dates
- Doctor Who Scoops More Awards
Tags: BBC One, Bernard Cribbins, Doctor Who, Russell T. Davies, The Master, Wilf Mott
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