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Bernard Who?

2. Fred, The Wombles and The Railway Children.

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 Extra

Available for years

Part of 4 Extra's Bernard Cribbins Day. The actor would have turned 94 on 29th December 2022.

Bernard talks to his friend and producer Martin Jenkins about his extraordinary career, and a cast of friends share their memories of working with Bernard, including David Tennant, Barbara Windsor, Barry Cryer and the late Richard Briers.

He's been directed by Hitchcock, starred alongside a galaxy of screen legends including Peter Sellers and Kenneth Williams, is good mates with David Tennant, and has performed with Barbara Windsor wearing nothing but a bikini.

In the last of two programmes, legendary Beatles producer George Martin recalls working with Bernard on the 1962 chart-toppers Right Said Fred and Hole in the Ground. Bernard reveals the secret to his storytelling magic on Jackanory, which captured the hearts and imaginations of a generation of children - including David Tennant. We hear how Bernard found the voices for Uncle Bulgaria and Tomsk in The Wombles and Jenny Agutter, his co-star in The Railway Children, discloses what she believes to be the secret of Bernard's eternal youth.

David Tennant and the writer Russell T Davies give their insights on working with Bernard on Dr Who, and the joy of reminding the viewing public what an exceptional actor he is. "He can break your heart with a single line," says Russell T Davies.

This is Bernard's own intimate retrospective of his career, told in conversation with his friend for more than 50 years, the acclaimed radio drama producer Martin Jenkins.

Producer: Eve Streeter

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2013. Show less

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