Cribbins played Wilfred Mott, the grandfather of Catherine Tate\u2019s Donna Noble<\/a> in Doctor Who. Before his death in July 2022, he was able to return for just one scene, which was aired at the end of the latest 60th anniversary special, Wild Blue Yonder<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sharing a photo of David Tennant, Tate and Cribbins, Davies reflected on the latter\u2019s poignant return.<\/p>\n He wrote on Instagram<\/a>: \u201cFarewell, old soldier. That\u2019s goodnight and goodbye to our beloved Bernard. Wilf is mentioned in dispatches next week, all safe and sound, don\u2019t worry, but that\u2019s the only scene Bernard was able to film.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a wonderful time! We\u2019d never lost touch, in all these years, so I phoned him up and asked him to come back. He sniffed and said, \u2018Let me see the script.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThen the shoot in Camden \u2013 you can see in Unleashed and read in next week\u2019s DWM how much he enjoyed that.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then\u2026 we had a little more written, but it wasn\u2019t to be; at 93 years old, the old soldier had given us his best, and stepped away. Night, Bernard, and thank you. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n Wilf appeared at the end of Wild Blue Yonder as the Doctor and Donna returned to Earth. Opening the TARDIS doors, the Doctor stumbles across Wilf, who assures him that, although the Noble family are safe, the world has gone mad.<\/p> The end of the episode sees the Doctor, Donna and Wilf speeding away as chaos ensues around them, heralding the arrival of Neil Patrick Harris\u2019s Toymaker<\/a> in next week\u2019s final instalment, The Giggle<\/a>.<\/p>\n Wild Blue Yonder was also dedicated to Cribbins<\/a>, with a message at the end reading: \u201cIn loving memory of Bernard Cribbins, 1928 to 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n Jacqueline King, who played Cribbins\u2019s on-screen daughter Sylvia Noble, recently paid tribute to the iconic actor<\/a>, telling RadioTimes.com<\/a>: \u201cI was just the most fortunate person in the world to have him as a friend, not just a work colleague.<\/p>\n![\"Bernard](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/12\/wilf-doctor-who-45c8413.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"wilf-doctor-who\\"\/")
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