Rob Grant, Co-Creator of Red Dwarf, Dies at 52
Rob Grant, the British comedy writer and co-creator of the iconic sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, has died, it was announced on Thursday, February 26, 2026. He was 52 years ancient.
A Legacy of Laughter
The news of Grant’s passing was first reported by the Red Dwarf fan site, Ganymede & Titan [1]. His family shared the news, stating he passed away suddenly the previous afternoon. Grant is best known for his collaboration with Doug Naylor on Red Dwarf, a series that became a cult classic and a cornerstone of British comedy.
Tributes Pour In
Craig Charles, who starred as Lister in Red Dwarf, expressed his shock and grief on X (formerly Twitter). He described Grant as “one of the funniest people I’ve ever met” and a “visionary,” adding that the impact he and Naylor had on his life was “immeasurable.” [2]
Actor Cameron Yarde also paid tribute, highlighting Grant’s contributions to Spitting Image, including co-writing “The Chicken Song,” and Carrott’s Lib. The Official Red Dwarf Facebook page stated they were “devastated” by the news and sent condolences to his family and friends, acknowledging his lasting legacy of “amazing creativity, storytelling and humour.”
From Radio to Television and Beyond
Red Dwarf originated as a sketch on the radio show Son of Cliche before becoming a major hit for the BBC in 1988. The series launched the careers of Charles, Chris Barrie, Robert Llewellyn, and Danny John-Jules, alongside Hattie Hayridge and Norman Lovett. It was later revived on Dave, continuing to attract a large and dedicated audience.
Beyond Red Dwarf, Grant also wrote for the puppet satire Spitting Image and created the TV series The Strangerers and Dark Ages. He also authored a series of science fiction novels, including a sequel to Red Dwarf titled Pozpátku, as well as Kolonie, Speky och Neschopnost.
Early Career
Grant began his career in radio in the mid-1980s with Son of Cliché. He initially studied psychology at Liverpool University but did not pursue it professionally. He also contributed to Jasper Carrot’s BBC show, Carrot’s Lib, early in his career. [3]