Rob Grant, co-creator of Red Dwarf, dies aged 70; rob grant’s passing sparks tributes
Comedian and writer rob grant, best known as the co-creator of the long-running sitcom Red Dwarf, has died at the age of 70. The family announced his sudden passing in a message shared by a dedicated Red Dwarf fan site; the news has prompted widespread tributes from castmates, collaborators and fans.
Family statement and how the news emerged
A message from Grant’s family 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. " That notice was posted on a dedicated Red Dwarf fan site, which later went offline, presumably because many fans were trying to find out more details.
Craig Charles’s post and social-media reaction on February 26
Craig Charles, who played the character Lister, posted on Thursday afternoon (February 26) saying he had been informed earlier that day and that he was "in total shock, " calling Grant "one of the funniest people I’ve ever met" and "a visionary. " Charles added: "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. "
Readers and fans added their own messages beneath Charles’s post. Stuart wrote: "Incredibly sad news. " Steve commented: "Oh no, condolences to all of the Red Dwarf folks. " Matthew said: "This was totally unexpected, condolences to his family and to you and your colleagues. " Chantal wrote: "I’m very sad to hear that, and I’m sorry for your and the red dwarf posse’s loss. " Chris posted: "So sad, what a gift Rob and Doug gave to the world with Dwarf. RIP. " Another user, 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. "
Origins of Red Dwarf and its place in British comedy
Red Dwarf began life as a sketch on the radio show Son of Cliche and launched in 1988. The sci‑fi sitcom follows the character Dave Lister as the last living human aboard the Red Dwarf mining ship 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. Over the years the show ran across 12 seasons and two specials, Back to Earth and The Promised Land, and remained popular with large, devoted audiences; it was revived on a new broadcast channel in 2009.
Writing career beyond the ship
Grant was also one of the main writers on Spitting Image for many years, working regularly with his long‑time creative partner Doug Naylor. He contributed to the early years of that show, including material connected to The Chicken Song, and wrote for Jasper Carrot’s programme Carrott’s Lib, one of his first jobs in television. Grant created other TV series, including The Strangerers and Dark Ages, and he published a number of novels.
Final projects, age and public details
The author’s first Red Dwarf novel in thirty years, Titan, co‑credited to Andrew Marshall, had recently been announced and is due to be published in July. Fans and a fan site noted the timing as a cruel twist, saying the announcement and the death happened within a week of one another. Grant was 70, and a cause of death has not been made public.
The official Red Dwarf page released a statement saying those behind the show were devastated by his passing and sent love to his family and friends, adding that he would live on through his creativity, storytelling and humour. A colleague who worked with Grant and Doug on The Official Red Dwarf Companion described them as great company, a great double act and, above all, devoted to the art of making people laugh.
This is a breaking story and more details are expected to follow.
