Allister Bain obit

Doctor Who star who appeared alongside David Tennant dies

An actor who appeared in Doctor Who alongside David Tennant has died, with his friends leading the tributes after confirming the 94-year-old died peacefully

 

He was not on the list.

A playwright, screenwriter and former Doctor Who star has died. Allister Bain, who featured in the sci-fi show during David Tennant's run as the Doctor, died aged 94.

His friend, Carline Muraldo shared the sad news on Instagram.

She posted a black and white picture of the actor in a pinstripe suit and said: "It is with sadness that that I must announce the passing of Allister Bain, writer, actor, dancer, choreographer and Director of The Bee Wee Ballet.

"He travelled to this country from Grenada in 1958 with his dance company. Having enjoyed a long successful career, which included television, stage and film, he passed away peacefully at 94 years old. He was an inspiration to so many and will be sorely missed."

Allister was born in St Andrew's, Grenada, and moved to England to advance his career in showbiz. His dance troupe, the Bee Wee Ballet of Grenada, were one of the key contributors to the early incarnations of the Notting Hill Carnival.

Six years after he came to the UK, Allister began acting, playing a nurse in an episode of Theatre 625. He would go on to appear in Vanity Fair, Love Thy Neighbour and Waking the Dead, as well as Doctor Who.

In a Christmas Special of the hit BBC sci-fi series, he played Winston Rampaul, a friend of Wilfred Mott (Bernard Cribbins) who helped him track down the Doctor (David Tennant) when the Master (John Simm) resurfaces. The episode was part of a two-part story that showed the end of David's run as the Doctor.

Allister also acted on stage, appearing in Michael McMillan's original cast for The School Leaver. The actor was a writer too, and his play, People, hit theatres in 2001. His final play, Pardon My Simplicity, premiered in 2012, when he was 80-years-old.

Fans and friends flooded social media with tributes to the star. One said: "Allister was loved by so many people from different walks of life - He made you laugh until you were weak with tears - he knew how to captivate an audience with his stories & dance. Grenada’s Godfather of Dance RIP."

Another added: "Sad news indeed. Allister was such a unique Storyteller, Actor, Writer, Dancer and Director. He brought all these unique skills to Peckham Library as part of the superb Literature Development Programme. He kept us informed and entertained in that wonderful manner of his. He was a Pioneer of Playwriting in the Creative Arts in this country. Never to be forgotten. Rest in Everlasting Peace, Power and Words."

A fourth said: "May Allister rest in peace. He was very kind to me when I came into the business. And always had a mischievous twinkle in his eye when he regaled us with stories. Rest in peace Allister."

 

Actor

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The Bill (1984)

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2003

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1996

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1992–1993

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Buki Armstrong and Rosie Rowell in South of the Border (1988)

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Pastor George

1988

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Eve Matheson and Rebecca Saire in Vanity Fair (1987)

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1987

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1987

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Kit Curran (1986)

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1986

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1985

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Dream Stuffing (1984)

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1984

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1983

 

Made in Britain (1983)

Made in Britain

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World's End (1981)

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1980

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Empire Road (1978)

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1978

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1978

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The Fosters (1976)

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6.9

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1977

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Spring & Autumn (1972)

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7.8

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1976

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1976

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Kim & Co. (1975)

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1975

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Quiller (1975)

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1975

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Shades of Greene (1975)

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1975

1 episode

 

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1974

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1971

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6.9

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1969

1 episode

 

Mogul (1965)

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7.0

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1969

1 episode

 

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1966

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Theatre 625 (1964)

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TV Series

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1964

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Kay Callard and John Turner in Knight Errant Limited (1959)

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5.8

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1961

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