The DJ, who played Dave Lister in the hit show, has taken to social media to pay tribute to Rob Grant
Red Dwarf was a huge TV success
Craig Charles has issued a tribute after Red Dwarf co-creator, Rob Grant, died. Rob co-wrote the classic BBC sci-fi comedy with Doug Naylor, which become a smash hit success after it debuted in 1988.
Liverpool DJ Craig, who starred in the show as the slacker Dave Lister, has taken to social media to share the sad news that Rob has died. He said: “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.” Rob was born in Salford and studied psychology at the University of Liverpool, where he met his collaborator Doug.
The sci-fi 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, which started life on BBC before moving to the channel Dave in 2009, has spawned a huge cult following and ran across 12 seasons and two specials named Back to Earth and the Promised Land.
A dedicated fan site, Ganymede & Titan, shared a message from Rob’s family on their website this afternoon. It said: “With much sadness, we have to announce that Rob Grant, co-creator of Red Dwarf, passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 25th February 2026), a great loss to his family, friends and comedy fans across the world.”
The fan site shared their own tribute, which read: “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.
“We will forever be grateful for the impact the world he co-created had on our lives, and honoured to have known him.” Many people took to the comments on 6Music DJ Craig’s post to share their own tribute.
Stuart said: “Incredibly sad news” Steve added: “Oh no, condolences to all of the Red Dwarf folks”
Matthew posted: “This was totally unexpected, condolences to his family and to you and your colleagues” Chantal commented: “I’m very sad to hear that, and I’m sorry for your and the red dwarf posse’s loss.”
Chris posted: “So sad, what a gift Rob and Doug gave to the world with Dwarf. RIP” Rob said: “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 added: “Sad news. Thank you Rob, Rest in Peace.” Greg posted: “Such sad news, sorry for your loss, thank you for the laughs @realrobgrant RIP
Rob spoke to the Radio Times in an interview published last weekend about his upcoming novel, which is a prequel to his beloved show. The creator shared his hopes that the novel, which is set to be released in July, could be adapted for its own TV show in the future.
He said: “We originally wrote it as a treatment for a TV spin-off and took it around, but it’s horribly expensive, and we couldn’t really raise enough interest.”
He added: “We might down the line… we’ve been talking to streamers about it but, when you read it, [you’ll realise] it’s a whole world you’d have to create. It wouldn’t be cheap.”
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