‘I've Been So Lucky'

On the release of his autobiography, we chat to the wonderful Bernard Cribbins about his legendary career, approaching 90 and ballet fun on the set of The Railway Children

- Katharine Wootton

Listening to Bernard Cribbins talk about his life is lucky’ just like sitting back in front of the telly on our mother’s knee hearing him read a story for an episode of the BBC children’s show, Jackanory. A master storyteller who feels like a great friend or a kindly uncle from the moment he opens his mouth, it’s no wonder he’s made his name playing some of the most loveable acting roles, going from friendly Mr Perks, of The Railway Children, to the voice of the entire Wombles family.

Speaking to us as he releases his autobiography, Bernard Who? 75 Years of Doing Just About Everything, Bernard is full of memories and anecdotes from a jam-packed career.

From a working-class upbringing in a two-up, two-down in Oldham with a tin bath and outside loo, Bernard made his way into stage management as a young man – where he met his wife of 63 years, Gillian – and eventually into acting. With a brief stint as a recordingartist too, making the hits Right Said Fred and Hole in the Ground, hundreds of roles on stage, TV and film followed. He worked with the biggest stars in the business, forming lifelong friendships with the likes of Lionel Jeffries, Barry Cryer, David Niven – “a lovely, lovely man” he says – and Peter Sellers, of whom he does a great Goon impression as we chat.