Arnold Yarrow, Doctor Who’s oldest surviving cast member, dies aged 104

As a lifelong fan of Doctor Who, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration for Arnold Yarrow. At 104 years old, he has left us with an incredible legacy that spans several decades and multiple iconic roles. His portrayal of Bellal in Doctor Who is a testament to his dedication and professionalism, despite the challenges posed by the elaborate costume.

As a devoted fan of Doctor Who, I was saddened to learn about the passing of Arnold Yarrow at the remarkable age of 104. It’s thought that he holds the distinction of being the oldest cast member in the show’s history to reach such an advanced age.

In three episodes of the show, Yarrow portrayed Bellal, a cosmic comrade to the Third Doctor, played by an unspecified actor. Bellal teamed up with the Time Lord and his associate Sarah Jane Smith, brilliantly played by Elizabeth Sladen, to confront the menacing Daleks in one thrilling escapade.

In a 2020 interview, a representative from the Exxilon species recollected that they asked Yarrow to put on an intricate outfit, stating it was not only laborious but also awkward to wear.

He told Toby Hadoke: “It was made of separate bits that were all glued together – I was stuck in there for three hours at a time. They were very restricting. I was filled with horror the first time I put it on.

It had only two minuscule openings that served as eyes and a breathing area. My sight range was incredibly restricted.

In his own words, Yarrow praised Jon Pertwee by stating: “Jon took care of me and showed me the ropes on set. Not only that, but Jon was thoughtful. As an actor myself, he recognized my challenges.

However, he mentioned that if given the opportunity for a prolonged stay on the program, he wouldn’t have accepted it because the challenges associated with the costumes would have become too burdensome for an extended timeframe.

In a critique by Patrick Mulkern for TopMob’s review of Death to the Daleks, he notes that Bellal, the friendly Exxilon character, remains strangely charming, despite seemingly being covered in bird waste.

In 2010, clips from earlier recordings of Bellal were used in a show called The Sarah Jane Adventures, whereas Yarrow shared insights about his time in the role during the 2012 launch of the Death to the Daleks DVD.

Besides Doctor Who, Yarrow’s resume included other well-known roles too. For instance, he portrayed Benny Bloom during the initial phases of EastEnders, and made appearances in shows such as Coronation Street, Life with Cooper, and Dr. Finlay’s Casebook.

Over the course of many years, Yarrow’s acting journey encompassed numerous decades. Furthermore, he was involved in scriptwriting for series such as EastEnders and Softly, Softly, along with several other television productions.

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2024-12-10 22:06