Rob Grant: Creator of cult science-fiction sitcom Red Dwarf — rob grant mourned after his death
Rob Grant, co-creator of the long-running sitcom Red Dwarf, has died; rob grant was 70. A family message shared on the dedicated fan site Ganymede & Titan said he "passed away suddenly" on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, and relatives described his death as a great loss to family, friends and comedy fans around the world.
Rob Grant's death, family message and fan site reaction
The family statement, published on Ganymede & Titan, said: "With much sadness, we have to announce that Rob Grant, co-creator of Red Dwarf, passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, February 25, 2026), a great loss to his family, friends and comedy fans across the world. " The fan site added it was "in too much shock to add much else right now" and offered sympathies and love to Grant’s family, friends, colleagues and fans.
The fan site also said the timing was painfully ironic: the death came "within a week of his first Red Dwarf novel for thirty years being officially announced. " At the time the fan site message was posted, Ganymede & Titan had itself briefly gone offline, presumably because many fans were trying to find out more.
Red Dwarf’s origins and how it made stars
Red Dwarf emerged from a sketch on the radio show Son of Cliche and launched in 1988. The sitcom followed Dave Lister as the last living human aboard the Red Dwarf mining spaceship after he awakens three million years after suspended animation. The series made stars of Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Robert Llewellyn and Danny John-Jules, and also featured Hattie Hayridge and Norman Lovett.
The show ran for 12 seasons and produced two specials, Back to Earth and the Promised Land. It began on the and was later revived on the channel Dave in 2009, where it continued to be watched by large, devoted audiences.
Early life, partnership with Doug Naylor and other TV work
Grant was from Salford and was born there; he studied psychology at the University of Liverpool, where he met his collaborator Doug Naylor. The two co-wrote Red Dwarf and worked together regularly.
Grant was also one of the main writers on Spitting Image for many years, often writing with Doug Naylor and contributing material such as The Chicken Song in Spitting Image's early years. One of his first jobs was writing for Jasper Carrott's show Carrot's Lib. Beyond Red Dwarf, Grant wrote two other television series, The Strangerers and Dark Ages, and authored a number of novels.
Cast, collaborators and fan responses
Craig Charles, who starred as Lister, posted on X: "Earlier today I was informed of the passing of @realrobgrant. 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. " The post was shared on Thursday afternoon, February 26.
Actor Cameron Yarde wrote: "RIP Rob Grant. Co-creator of Red Dwarf with Doug Naylor, wrote for Spitting Image with Doug in its early years including The Chicken Song and wrote on the excellent Carrott's Lib. That's not just a career, that's a legacy. " The Official Red Dwarf Facebook page wrote: "We are devastated to learn of Rob’s passing and send love to his family and friends. He will always live on through his amazing creativity, storytelling and humour. Travel well, Sir. "
Comments beneath Craig Charles’s post included: Stuart — "Incredibly sad news"; Steve — "Oh no, condolences to all of the Red Dwarf folks"; Matthew — "This was totally unexpected, condolences to his family and to you and your colleagues"; Chantal — "I’m very sad to hear that, and I’m sorry for your and the red dwarf posse’s loss. " Chris wrote: "So sad, what a gift Rob and Doug gave to the world with Dwarf. RIP"; Rob wrote: "Incredibly sad news. He gave us all a wonderful reason to laugh for which we'll be forever grateful. Thoughts with his family and friends. RIP. " Alan added: "Sad news. Thank you Rob, Rest in Peace. " Greg posted: "Such sad news, sorry for your loss, thank you for the laughs @realrobgrant RIP. "
Final projects and an announced return to Red Dwarf fiction
Grant’s first Red Dwarf novel in thirty years, Titan, co-credited to Andrew Marshall, had recently been announced and was due to be published in July. The announcement of that novel was noted by the fan site as having occurred within a week of his death. A cause of death has not been made public.
A colleague’s personal note on Grant and Doug
A contributor who worked with Grant and Doug Naylor to write The Official Red Dwarf Companion said they found both writers to be "great company, a great double act, and, above all, devoted to the art of making people laugh. " Tributes from colleagues, collaborators and fans underline the extent of Grant’s impact on British comedy and science-fiction comedy in particular.
