Rob Grant, the co-founder of cult BBC comedy Red Dwarf, has died suddenly, aged 70.
Grant, alongside Doug Naylor was behind the hit series based around the misfit crew of a mining spacecraft. The show ran for more than a decade on BBC Two and then returned in 2009 for another 10 years on Dave.
His family released a statement to Red Dwarf fan-site, Ganymede & Titan:
“With much sadness, we have to announce that Rob Grant, co-creator of Red Dwarf, passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 25th February 2026), a great loss to his family, friends and comedy fans across the world.
“We’re in too much shock to add much else right now, other than to pass on our sympathies and love to Rob’s family, friends, colleagues and fans. This is devastating news, and for it to have happened within a week of his first Red Dwarf novel for thirty years being officially announced is just the sort of cruel twist of fate that Rob delighted in inventing. We’ll have more to say over the coming days, weeks and months, to celebrate the life of a man whose imagination, creativity and humour was matched only by his kindness, friendliness and generosity. We will forever be grateful for the impact the world he co-created had on our lives, and honoured to have known him.”
Born in Salford, Grant spent 10 years at Chetham’s School of Music, “despite being hopefully and incurably tone deaf” – says his website.
“After being unceremoniously ejected from Liverpool University” he started writing scripts for BBC radio alongside Doug Naylor.
The pair contributed material to 80s comedians from Bob Monkhouse and Ken Dodd to Roy Hudd and were behind Spitting Image’s number one hit, The Chicken Song.
Red Dwarf was first broadcast by the BBC in 1988, featuring the the last human, Dave Lister (Craig Charles), his former bunkmate, hologram Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barry) and a creature that evolved over millions of years from his pregnant pet, Cat (Danny John-Jules). They were joined by sanitation robot Kryten (Robert Llewellyn), and ship computer Holly (Norman Lovett).
“Earlier today I was informed of the passing of @realrobgrant,” wrote Craig Charles.
“I am in total shock.He was one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. A visionary. My heart goes out to his family and friends. The impact he and Doug had on the course of my life is immeasurable. RIP ROB”
Red Dwarf won an international Emmy in 1994.
Earlier this month, Grant announced that he was co-writing his first Red Dwarf novel in 30 years, alongside Andrew Marshall, the creator of 2point4 children. The book was set to be published this summer.
