Allister Bain, the actor, playwright, screenwriter and dancer known for a memorable role in David Tennant's era of Doctor Who, has died at the age of 94. His death occurred on Monday September 24, but it only came to public attention following his cremation in Islington on October 13.
The news was confirmed by his friend Caroline Muraldo, who shared it on Instagram. Alongside a black and white image of Bain in a pinstripe suit and bowler hat holding an umbrella, she wrote: "It is with sadness that I must announce the passing of Allister Bain, writer, actor, dancer, choreographer and Director of The Bee Wee Ballet. He travelled to this country from Grenada in 1958 with his dance company."
"Having enjoyed a long successful career, which included television, stage and film, he passed away peacefully at 94 years old," she added. "He was an inspiration to so many and will be sorely missed."
Career in television and stage
Born in St. Andrew's, Grenada, Bain moved to England in 1958 to advance his career. His dance troupe, the Bee Wee Ballet of Grenada, contributed to the birth of what became the Notting Hill Carnival with their performances.
His TV acting career began in 1964 with a role as a nurse in one episode of Theatre 625 entitled With Love and Tears. He went on to appear in shows such as Us Girls, Vanity Fair, Bugs, The Professionals, Love Thy Neighbour and Waking the Dead.
In 2009, he gained a new generation of fans with a memorable appearance in the Doctor Who Christmas Special The End Of Time, Part One. He played feisty pensioner Winston Rampaul, a friend of Bernard Cribbins' character Wilfred Mott. The episode marked the beginning of a two-part story that ended David Tennant's time in the TARDIS.
Playwriting and later work
Bain also enjoyed a prolific stage career that began in the 1970s. He was in the original cast of Michael McMillan's play The School Leaver, produced at the Royal Court Theatre's Young Writers' Festival in 1978.
He was an accomplished playwright, penning his first work, People, in 2001. He continued writing into his later years and debuted his play Pardon My Simplicity in January 2012 at the age of 80. In 2017, he released his memoir, The French Cashew Tree.
Tributes from friends and fans
Tributes flooded in from friends and fans. One wrote on Facebook: "Allister was loved by so many people from different walks of life - He made you laugh until you were weak with tears - he knew how to captivate an audience with his stories & dance. Grenada's Godfather of Dance RIP."
Another added: "Sad news indeed. Allister was such a unique Storyteller, Actor, Writer, Dancer and Director. He brought all these unique skills to Peckham Library as part of the superb Literature Development Programme. He kept us informed and entertained in that wonderful manner of his. He was a Pioneer of Playwriting in the Creative Arts in this country. Never to be forgotten. Rest in Everlasting Peace, Power and Words."
A third said: "Allistair Bain was like an amazing father figure to me. We spoke on the phone recently and he remembered me from back in the 80s and I was able to thank him for his wisdom and teaching us the Belair dance. Always smiling, and encouraging others. Allister kindly posted two of his signed books to me, and he was an excellent author. Rest in peace, dear Sir Allister Bain."
Another tribute read: "He was a wonderful fellow and an inspirational actor! Rest in peace, Allister and thank you for your guidance." A fifth reflected: "May Allister rest in peace. He was very kind to me when I came into the business. And always had a mischievous twinkle in his eye when he regaled us with stories. Rest in peace Allister."
