Nigel McCrery death: Silent Witness and New Tricks creator dies, aged 71
Silent Witness creator Nigel McCrery has died aged 71.
The policeman-turned-TV writer and producer was best known for his forensic dramas including Silent Witness and cold case show New Tricks.
Last year he revealed he had been diagnosed with an unidentified terminal illness.
News of his death was confirmed by his agent in a statement on social media.
'It's with a heavy heart that we share the news of screenwriter, author and producer Nigel McCrery's passing,' wrote United Agents.
'As the creative mind behind such hits as the much-loved long running BBC drama series Silent Witness and New Tricks, Nigel captivated and inspired audiences for years with his work.
'His numerous contributions to the arts will always be remembered. Nigel had an incredible career and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.'
McCrery served with Nottinghamshire Constabulary in his previous life, beginning Silent Witness in 1996. The long-running BBC programme about a police pathologist released its 28th series this year.
His 1950s-set medical drama Born And Bred, co-created with Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, aired during the 2000s.
The TV writer also launched New Tricks, starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam, in 2003. The show was axed in 2015, after 12 series.
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said she was 'deeply saddened' by the news, and added 'our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time'.
'Nigel was behind some of UK television's most loved dramas, and his skill for creating brilliant stories with beautifully drawn characters shone for all to see,' she continued.
'The enduring success of Silent Witness, still entertaining millions of viewers after almost 30 years, is a testament to his incredible talent and he will be sorely missed.'
McCrery also wrote non-fiction books about sport, the First World War and the Second World War. These included The Footballers Who Fought And Died In The Great War, Into Touch: Rugby Internationals Killed in the Great War and Season in Hell: British Footballers Killed In The Second World War.
His book, The Vanished Battalion, was made into the 1999 war drama All The King's Men starring Sir David Jason and Dame Maggie Smith.
In October 2024, he told BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live programme that he had been told he was terminal recently, which he called 'quite a shock'.
'I mean people deal with their deaths in different ways, and I think it's all very, very individual to each of us,' he said. 'But I think for a little while you do go into shock – or I did, and I was in a bit of a state.'
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