Red Dwarf’s visionary co-creator Rob Grant dies aged 70

rob grant, the comedy writer best known as the co-creator of the long-running sitcom Red Dwarf, has died at the age of 70. His family said he "passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, February 25, 2026)", and the news was broken by the fan site Ganymede & Titan.

Tributes to Rob Grant

Tributes poured in from colleagues and fans. Craig Charles, who played 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 Manchester coverage noted Charles took to social media on Thursday afternoon (February 26) to share the sad news.

Fan site and family statement

The dedicated fan site Ganymede & Titan shared a message from Grant’s family that read: "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 also shared its own tribute: "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. " The site reportedly went down at the time of early reports, presumably because so many fans were trying to find out more details.

Cast, commenters and reactions

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".

Many people responded to Craig Charles’s post. Commenters included Stuart, who said: "Incredibly sad news"; Steve, who added: "Oh no, condolences to all of the Red Dwarf folks"; Matthew, who posted: "This was totally unexpected, condolences to his family and to you and your colleagues"; and Chantal, who commented: "I’m very sad to hear that, and I’m sorry for your and the red dwarf posse’s loss. " Other replies read: Chris — "So sad, what a gift Rob and Doug gave to the world with Dwarf. RIP"; Rob — "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 wrote: "Such sad news, sorry for your loss, thank you for the laughs @realrobgrant RIP".

Red Dwarf’s origins and impact

Red Dwarf emerged out of a sketch on the radio show Son of Cliche and was a major hit for the when it launched in 1988. The sitcom made stars of Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Robert Llewellyn and Danny John-Jules as well as Hattie Hayridge and Norman Lovett. The programme later moved to the channel Dave in 2009 and was subsequently revived on Dave, continuing to be watched by large, devoted audiences. The series ran across 12 seasons and two specials named Back to Earth and the Promised Land. The show followed Dave’s adventures as the last living human aboard the Red Dwarf mining spaceship after he awakens three million years after suspended animation.

Career, collaborations and recent book news

Grant was one of the main writers on Spitting Image for many years, writing regularly with Doug Naylor. He also wrote two other TV series, The Strangerers and Dark Ages, and a number of novels. One of his first jobs was writing for Jasper Carrot's show, Carrott's Lib. His first Red Dwarf novel for thirty years, Titan, co-credited to Andrew Marshall, had recently been announced and was due to be published in July; the fan site described his death as "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. "

Grant was 70. A cause of death has not been made public.

Personal recollection and next steps

In a personal note, the author of an early account said: "I worked with Rob and Doug to write The Official Red Dwarf Companion. I found them both to be great company, a great double act, and, above all, devoted to the art of making people laugh. " The story was described as breaking, with more to follow.

This is a developing story; more details are expected to emerge.