💔 104-Year-Old Acting Legend Has Died More

Arnold Yarrow, Actor and Screenwriter, Passes Away at 104

Arnold Yarrow, a celebrated actor, screenwriter, and novelist, has passed away at the age of 104. His death was confirmed in reports from Doctor Who News and Radio Times on December 10, though details surrounding the cause remain unclear.

Born on April 17, 1920, Yarrow was believed to be the oldest surviving credited cast member of Doctor Who, the iconic BBC series that began in 1963. He joined the show in 1974, decades after first crossing paths with future Doctor Who producer Barry Letts while performing in repertory theatre during the 1940s.

Yarrow took on the role of Bellal in Death to the Daleks, appearing alongside Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor and Elisabeth Sladen’s Sarah Jane Smith. His character, a member of the Exxilon species, played a crucial role in aiding the Time Lord against the Daleks.

Bringing Bellal to life was no easy task. Yarrow recalled the challenge of wearing an intricate costume that required stitching and gluing. “It was made of separate bits that were all glued together—I was stuck in there for three hours at a time,” he once shared. With only small pinholes to see through and nostrils to breathe from, his vision was extremely limited, requiring guidance from Pertwee on set. To prepare for the role, he studied the movements of marmosets and bush babies at the zoo, drawing inspiration for Bellal’s mannerisms.

Despite the character’s impact, Yarrow’s time on Doctor Who was brief, spanning just three episodes. Reflecting on the experience, he later described it as “a brief episode in a jobbing actor’s career.”

Beyond Doctor Who, Yarrow was well known for his role as Dr. Bloom in EastEnders, appearing in 17 episodes between 1988 and 1989. His extensive acting career included roles in Coronation Street, Dr Finlay’s Casebook, and Life with Cooper. He also made significant contributions as a scriptwriter, working on shows such as EastEnders and Softly, Softly.

Yarrow’s work left a lasting mark on British television, both in front of and behind the camera.