Rob Grant: Red Dwarf’s ‘visionary’ co-creator rob grant dies aged 70

rob grant, the comedy writer best known as the co-creator of long-running sitcom Red Dwarf, has died at the age of 70. His family said he "passed away suddenly" on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, a message shared by the fan site Ganymede and Titan that briefly went offline as fans sought more information.

Tributes from colleagues

Craig Charles, who starred as Dave 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. " 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".

Red Dwarf origins and impact

Red Dwarf emerged out of a sketch on the radio show Son of Cliche and launched in 1988. The sitcom followed Dave’s adventures 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, as well as Hattie Hayridge and Norman Lovett. It started on the, later moved to Dave in 2009, ran across 12 seasons and two specials named Back to Earth and the Promised Land, and continued to be watched by large, devoted audiences.

Doug Naylor partnership

Grant co-created Red Dwarf with Doug Naylor and wrote regularly with him. He was one of the main writers on Spitting Image for many years, writing with Doug in its early years. The partnership extended to other projects and to written work: a personal note in the original coverage said the writer had worked with Rob and Doug to write The Official Red Dwarf Companion and found them "great company, a great double act, and, above all, devoted to the art of making people laugh. "

Fan reaction and family message

The fan site Ganymede and Titan (also shown in coverage as Ganymede & Titan) shared a family statement saying: "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 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.... 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. " The initial notice noted the fan site had gone down at the time of writing, presumably because so many fans were trying to find out more details.

After Craig Charles’s post — shared on Thursday afternoon (February 26) in coverage of the reaction — many people responded in comments. Stuart wrote: "Incredibly sad news"; Steve added: "Oh no, condolences to all of the Red Dwarf folks"; Matthew posted: "This was totally unexpected, condolences to his family and to you and your colleagues"; Chantal commented: "I’m very sad to hear that, and I’m sorry for your and the red dwarf posse’s loss. " Other replies included: 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 wrote: "Sad news. Thank you Rob, Rest in Peace. " Greg posted: "Such sad news, sorry for your loss, thank you for the laughs @realrobgrant RIP. "

Career highlights and recent work

Grant wrote other TV series including The Strangerers and Dark Ages and authored a number of novels. One of his first jobs was writing for Jasper Carrot’s show, Carrot's Lib (also referenced as Carrott's Lib in other coverage). 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. Grant was 70; a cause of death has not been made public.

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