Latest news with #NigelMcCrery
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Emilia Fox breaks silence after death of Silent Witness creator Nigel McCrery
Emilia Fox has paid tribute to Silent Witness creator Nigel McCrery following his death aged 71. Nigel, a former police officer who also created the BBC series New Tricks, revealed last year he was diagnosed with an unspecified terminal illness. Nigel 🩷 — Emilia Fox (@EmiliaFox) February 10, 2025 Emilia, who plays Dr Nikki Alexander in the long-running BBC crime drama, said the TV writer will be "missed by so many" in a statement shared on social media. "I am so sorry to hear the terribly sad news about the passing of Nigel McCrery," penned the 50-year-old. "In creating Silent Witness he brought something special to so many audiences around the world, and to those of us lucky enough to work on the show. Its success and longevity are a testament to Nigel and his brilliant idea in the first place - and of course many other shows too. "I was hugely fond of him personally. He was always kind and warm and spoke devotedly of his own family as an extremely proud parent and grandparent," continued the actress. "I am grateful that he remained connected to the show ongoingly and always wanted to know what plans there were for it. His great friend the forensic pathologist Helen Whitwell, who inspired the Sam Ryan character played by Amanda Burton, also sadly passed away recently. They will both live on through Silent Witness and we will do our best to make them proud." She added: "He will be missed by so many and my thoughts are with his family." Nigel's death was confirmed by his agent on social media. "It's with a heavy heart that we share the news of screenwriter, author and producer Nigel McCrery's passing," the statement read. "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." Nigel, who served with the Nottinghamshire Constabulary, created Silent Witness in 1996. The drama returned to screens in January with its 28th series, in which Emilia stars alongside David Caves. In 2003, Nigel launched New Tricks, which starred Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam and ran for 12 series. Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said she was "deeply saddened" by the news. "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 said. "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." In October 2024, Nigel told BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live programme that he had been given a terminal diagnosis, which he said was "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."
Sky News
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Nigel McCrery: Creator of Silent Witness and New Tricks dies
The creator of TV crime dramas Silent Witness and New Tricks, Nigel McCrery, has died aged 71. He had been diagnosed with a terminal illness in October 2024. The screenwriter's agent posted a photo on social media on Monday, paying tribute and confirming his death. United Agents wrote: "It's with a heavy heart that we share the news of screenwriter, author and producer Nigel McCrery's passing. "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." Running for 28 series and still ongoing, Silent Witness follows a team of forensic pathologists investigating crimes. It is one of the BBC's longest-running dramas. New Tricks, about a group of retired detectives helping police solve cold cases, aired for over a decade, across 12 series. McCrery began his career working as a police officer with the Nottinghamshire Constabulary murder squad, where he developed an interest in forensic science. He left the force after a decade to study at Cambridge University, after which he began working for the BBC, eventually ending up in the drama department. It was there he wrote his first TV series, police procedural Backup, in 1995, which ran for two years. Silent Witness followed, airing in 1996, initially starring Amanda Burton as the lead detective, before Emilia Fox's character took the reins in the eighth series. A 29th series is expected to follow the one which aired at the start of this year. The drama is also broadcast around the world. New Tricks, which starred Dennis Waterman across all 12 series, premiered in 2003, with its final episode showing in 2015. McCrery also penned All The King's Men - a First World War drama starring David Jason, medical drama Born And Bred, and Impact, about a group of air accident investigators, all of which aired on the BBC. He also wrote several novels, a play and numerous military history books.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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.'
The Independent
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
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.'
The Guardian
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Silent Witness and New Tricks creator Nigel McCrery dies aged 71
The TV writer Nigel McCrery – creator of the series Silent Witness – has died aged 71, his agent has confirmed. The former police officer, who also devised the cold case show New Tricks, revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with an unspecified terminal illness. United Agents wrote on social media: 'It's with a heavy heart that we share the news of screenwriter, author and producer Nigel McCrery's passing. '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, who served with the Nottinghamshire constabulary, began Silent Witness in 1996 – the BBC programme about a police pathologist released its latest series, its 28th, this year. His 1950s-set medical drama Born and Bred, co-created with the Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, aired during the 2000s. McCrery also launched New Tricks, which follows the fictional unsolved crime and open case squad, with Roy Mitchell in 2003. The show starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam had strong ratings, before being axed in 2015 after 12 series. McCrery also wrote non-fiction books about sport and the first and second world wars. Sign up to What's On Get the best TV reviews, news and features in your inbox every Monday after newsletter promotion 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 recently been given a terminal diagnosis, 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.'
