Red Dwarf cast and crew pay tribute after beloved co-creator Rob Grant dies suddenly, aged 70

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Fans and colleagues are mourning the unexpected death of Rob Grant, the co-creator of the popular sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf. He passed away on February 25, 2026, at the age of 70.

Rob Grant co-created the popular sci-fi comedy series with Doug Naylor, which first debuted in 1988. While the original TV series concluded with a final special in 2020, the show’s story has continued through other mediums.

I absolutely loved the premise of this show! It centers around Lister, played by Craig Charles, who wakes up after being frozen for three million years to discover he’s the last human alive. He’s stuck on the mining ship Red Dwarf with this hilarious crew: a hologram, a cat evolved from his pet, a neurotic sanitation droid, and the ship’s computer. It’s such a unique and funny setup!

Besides Charles, the main characters in the show were portrayed by Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, and Norman Lovett.

Just this month, a new book connected to the Red Dwarf series was announced. Called Red Dwarf: Titan, it was originally planned to come out on July 16, 2026, but it’s currently unknown if that release date will hold.

The news about Grant’s passing was initially reported on the Red Dwarf fan site, Ganymede & Titan, and included a statement from his family.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Rob Grant’s sudden passing yesterday, February 25th, 2026. Best known as the co-creator of Red Dwarf, his loss will be deeply felt by his family, friends, and fans everywhere.

Naylor, who collaborated with Grant on shows like Spitting Image for both radio and television, was among those praising him.

The partners ended their business relationship in the 1990s, which led to a legal battle over the ownership of Red Dwarf. This disagreement was finally settled in 2023.

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I first met Rob when we were both nine years old. We went to the same schools – Chetham’s School of Music, and later Liverpool University. We’d been making each other laugh since childhood, and that connection eventually led us to create something amazing, something we never could have predicted as schoolboys.

Both Spitting Image and Red Dwarf became hugely popular comedy shows in Britain. I’ll always look back fondly on the time we spent writing together, and all the times we laughed until our sides ached.

Working with creative partners can be challenging, fueled by strong feelings and big personalities. But our partnership was built on a common love of comedy and a real desire to make people laugh – and we succeeded, achieving more than either of us ever imagined.

I’m thinking of Rob’s wife, Kath, and everyone who knew and loved him. I’ll always cherish the time I spent working with Rob and everything we accomplished together. Rest in peace, Rob! Sending love. #reddwarf

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Charles, known for his role in “Lister,” also shared a tribute to Grant on X (formerly Twitter). He expressed his shock at the news of Grant’s passing, describing him as one of the funniest and most innovative people he’d ever known.

I’m deeply saddened by his passing and send my condolences to his family and friends. He and Doug both had a huge, lasting influence on my life. Rest in peace, Rob.

Robert Llewellyn, known for his role as Kryten in Red Dwarf, shared the sad news of Rob Grant’s passing on Threads. Grant, who co-created the popular comedy series with Doug Naylor, died on Wednesday. Llewellyn remembered him as a very funny man with a quick wit.

The Red Dwarf Fan Club shared a heartbroken message on X after hearing about Rob’s death, sending their condolences to his loved ones. They celebrated his incredible talent for creativity, storytelling, and making people laugh, and said he would be deeply missed.

Grant recently told TopMob he’d love to see his new novel, Titan, become a movie or TV show. He admitted, however, that the cast would likely need to be different, though the original actors could potentially take on smaller parts.

Watch Grant talking to TopMob below:

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, an international television production company. He has a bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a journalism diploma.

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2026-02-27 14:38