Allister Bain, a playwright, screenwriter and former Doctor Who star, has died at the age of 94. Bain appeared in the sci-fi series during David Tennant's tenure as the Doctor.
His friend, Carline Muraldo, announced the news on Instagram, posting a black-and-white picture of the actor in a pinstripe suit. She wrote: "It is with sadness that that I must announce the passing of Allister Bain, writer, actor, dancer, choreographer and Director of The Bee Wee Ballet."
Muraldo continued: "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. He was an inspiration to so many and will be sorely missed."
Career from Grenada to Doctor Who
Born in St Andrew's, Grenada, Bain moved to England to advance his showbiz career. His dance troupe, the Bee Wee Ballet of Grenada, were key contributors to the early incarnations of the Notting Hill Carnival.
Six years after arriving in the UK, Bain began acting, playing a nurse in an episode of Theatre 625. He went on to appear in Vanity Fair, Love Thy Neighbour and Waking the Dead, as well as Doctor Who.
In a Christmas Special of the BBC sci-fi series, he played Winston Rampaul, a friend of Wilfred Mott (Bernard Cribbins) who helped track down the Doctor (David Tennant) when the Master (John Simm) resurfaces. The episode was part of a two-part story that marked the end of Tennant's run as the Doctor.
Stage and writing legacy
Bain also acted on stage, appearing in Michael McMillan's original cast for The School Leaver. As a writer, his play People hit theatres in 2001. His final play, Pardon My Simplicity, premiered in 2012 when he was 80.
Tributes flooded social media from fans and friends. One wrote: "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 said: "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 fourth tribute read: "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."
