Doctor Who fans in tears at tribute to iconic actor in latest episode

Doctor Who fans were left in tears after the show paid tribute tone of its most iconic stars.

The iconic BBC series - which has been on our screens since 1963 - lost one of its most well-known actors last year when Bernard Cribbins passed away at the age of 93.

The veteran actor was best known in the series as Wilfred Mott, the grandfather of Donna Noble - played by Catherine Tate.

“Beloved actor Bernard Cribbins OBE has passed away at the age of 93," a statement from Gavin Barker Associates read at the time.

“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 1970s children program 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.”

BBC

And in a touching tribute, the late actor featured in one last episode for the sci-fi show’s 60th anniversary on Saturday (December 2).

In the second programme of the three specials, Cribbins made a cameo appearance as Wilfred, a role he played from 2007 to 2010.

The emotional scene saw Cribbins reunite with David Tennant’s Time Lord and Tate’s Donna.

"I never thought I'd see you again after all these years, oh Doctor that lovely face," Cribbins' character said.

"I told them to bunker down and I'll keep watch...it's everyone, it's everything, they're all going mad. You've got to do something. The whole world, coming to an end."

Fans were in tears after watching, with one person writing: "Lovely to see Wilf back... the perfect tribute to Bernard Cribbins."

"I am so happy Bernard Cribbins got to be Wilf one last time. I might have had something in my eye," another wrote.

"The way I legit BURST INTO TEARS when Bernard Cribbins appeared," a third tweeted.

"Watched new #DoctorWho, saw Bernard Cribbins and immediately burst into tears," someone else said.

BBC

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies said they had written more scenes for Cribbins to feature in, but he died before they had chance to film them.

Writing on Instagram, alongside a photo of Cribbins, Tennant and Tate from the scene, Davies said: “Farewell, old soldier. That’s goodnight and goodbye to our beloved Bernard.

“Wilf is mentioned in dispatches next week, all safe and sound, don’t worry, but that’s the only scene Bernard was able to film.

“We had a wonderful time! We’d never lost touch, in all these years, so I phoned him up and asked him to come back. He sniffed and said ‘Let me see the script’.

“We had a wonderful readthrough with 120 people at which he was adored by one and all. A lovely dinner in Cardiff where he regaled us with tales galore, twinkling as ever.”