Rob Grant, Red Dwarf co-creator, dies aged 70
rob grant, the co-creator of the long-running sitcom Red Dwarf, has died aged 70, a family message shared on the fan site 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. "
Fan site shares family notice
The fan site Ganymede & Titan published the family statement and 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. 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. " (note - at the time of writing the site has gone down due, presumably, to so many fans trying to find out more details).
Rob Grant’s career — from Salford to Red Dwarf
Grant was born in Salford and studied psychology at the University of Liverpool, where he met his collaborator Doug Naylor, the family message and coverage noted; he was 70 at the time of his death and a cause of death has not been made public. He began his career writing for Jasper Carrot’s show Carrot's Lib and went on to write for Spitting Image for many years, frequently with Doug Naylor.
He co-created Red Dwarf, which emerged from a sketch on the radio show Son of Cliche and launched in 1988; the sitcom followed Dave’s adventures as the last living human being aboard the Red Dwarf mining spaceship after he awakens three million years after suspended animation. The show started on before moving to the channel Dave in 2009 and ran across 12 seasons plus two specials, Back to Earth and The Promised Land.
Grant also created two other TV series, The Strangerers and Dark Ages, and wrote a number of novels. His first Red Dwarf novel for thirty years, Titan, co-credited to Andrew Marshall, had recently been announced and is due to be published in July.
Cast and colleagues pay tribute
Craig Charles, who played Dave Lister on Red Dwarf and is a Liverpool DJ, posted on X on Thursday afternoon (February 26): "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 posted: "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. "
One writer who worked with Grant and Naylor added a personal note: "On a personal note, 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. "
Fans and comments flood social media
Many people took to the comments on Craig Charles’s post to share their own tributes. Responses 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. "
Others wrote: 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: "Sad news. Thank you Rob, Rest in Peace. "; Greg: "Such sad news, sorry for your loss, thank you for the laughs @realrobgrant RIP".
What’s next
The family message and the fan site said tributes and further remembrance would follow in the coming days, weeks and months. Grant’s first Red Dwarf novel in thirty years, Titan, co-credited to Andrew Marshall, has been announced and is due to be published in July; beyond that, a cause of death has not been made public.
