Bernard Who?

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Bernard Who?: 1. Early Years and Making Films

1. Early Years and Making Films

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Bernard Who?, 1. Early Years and Making Films

Bernard Cribbins looks back on 70 years in showbusiness with a stellar cast of friends.

4 Extra Debut. Bernard Cribbins recalls 70 years in showbiz with long-time producer Martin Jenkins and a stellar cast of friends. From 2013.

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

In this revealing series, he 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 and the late Barbara Windsor, Barry Cryer and 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.

Somehow Bernard Cribbins has earned a special place in the hearts of every generation; whether you're a fan of the Carry On films or his 1960s chart hits Right Said Fred and Hole in the Ground, grew up watching The Railway Children or listened to him read more than 100 classic tales on Jackanory. And he has continued to wow younger audiences as Wilfred Mott in Doctor Who, and most recently as the storytelling sailor Old Jack in the new BBC children's television series on CBeebies.

In the first of two programmes, Bernard looks back at his early career at Oldham Rep, where he started as an actor and assistant stage manager aged 13, on his national service with the parachute regiment in Palestine, and the big break that took him to London's West End, and from there to the Carry On films. 

Barry Cryer, Barbara Windsor, the playwright Ray Cooney and Richard Briers, recorded shortly before his death, share their memories of Bernard the man and the performer.

Plus Bernard's personal recollections of working with the legendary Peter Sellers, Alfred Hitchcock and Peter Cushing.

Producer: Eve Streeter

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2013.

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Actor Bernard Cribbins looks back on 70 years in show business.

Actor Bernard Cribbins looks back on 70 years in show business, in conversation with long-time producer Martin Jenkins and the help of a stellar cast of friends.

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