Tonight, BBC2, 7:40 Should be worth watching!:clap:

Just watched it. What a character, the world is a sadder place without him.

Brilliant wasn't it!

I mean, "Did yuh lahk that?":thumbsup:

I like the bit at the end when someone said, "He'll be in heaven now having a chat with his hero Brunel." Hope so, because that'll be two of my heroes in the same place and it'll be easier for me to find 'em when I go.:D

I missed it. He was great, though. Marvellous entertertainment.

He was a brilliant entertainer and his programmes were interesting and a change from the run of the mill stuff you see on T.V these days.
No Eyres and Graces with him, just plain talking Lancashire direlect.

When did he die?

Chris.

About three weeks ago, of cancer.

So sad. he'll be a great loss. His recent series on the industrial revolution was one NOT to miss. I am of the opinion that if the bbc repeat NOTHING, else at all, then it HAS to repeat his wonderful series. (yes, all of them)

I like markham's image of him, having a discussion, up there in heaven, with Brunel....

I loved his down-to-earth-ness, and his straight talking, no-nonsense northern-ness (even if he was from the "wrong" side of the Pennines * wink*) He was a "reyt" character.

It was thrilling to see those "chimbley-stacks" etc, that he demolished, come tumbling down.

I loved the programme where Fred was demolishing a "chimbley" and nearly didn't get out of the way in time! To this very day I don't know how he survived! The memory of him emerging, coughing, and covered in dust, from the rubble and smoke of the fallen stack is one I cannot get out of my mind! It was heart-stopping! Talk about compulsive viewing!! (come on! hands up, who, amonsgt us DIDN'T think owd fred was a definite 'goner' on seeing that!!??)

His lancashire twang in his voice reminded me of my great-grandpa's phrasing. my grandpa used to pronounce the word 'Whole' as "Woal" not "hole", like fred did.

PT

And did you see how he was almost in tears after he had talked about the Victorian workmen who had toiled to build the chimneys he was about to knock down?

"If I don't do it, somebody else will...mmm, aye!"

I hope he's not looking down on me now thinking, 'Cheeky bugger's got me picture as 'is avatar whatsit!':confused:

Quite agree with everyones comments
An excellent tribute to gentleman who certinly deserved it
Bet he's causing a stir up there

R.I.P Fred

St Peter will probably get a new set of gates (for a small fee like), and Fred will be telling Brunel how he should have built the Clifton suspension bridge, and he'll make sure to give a good 'dee-mon-strashun' as well.

Originally posted by markham
St Peter will probably get a new set of gates (for a small fee like)

An eternal supply of Guiness ? :thumbsup:

Hope they repeat all his programmes, especially the ones about steam engines cos I missed a couple of those.

There was a brief clip of his funeral on TV. His coffin on a trailer towed by a steam engine and his cap sat on top of the coffin...wonder how long he's had that cap ?

One of my hero's gone!

R.I.P Fred

For anybody who is interested, Fred's journey brings him to Sheffield tonight. He visits Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet and a steelworks. BBC 2 at 8.30pm ( i think, but do check the time)

Originally posted by Mo
BBC 2 at 8.30pm ( i think, but do check the time)

Your not wrong!:)

just watching this.

bless him!

(Sniff!)

PT

Even though I am a Lord, I have total respect for Fred Dibnah - he was completely ace. I too loved the way he said 'wole' instead of 'whole' and always enjoyed one of his 'practical deemonstrations'. I found it hilarious hearing his voice-over at the end of a prog - his invitations to 'visit our website' sounded totally incongruous. One of the funniest things about him was his fan club - apparently they used to turn up at his house and sit around playing cards and talking about flanges, valves and gaskets etc - all dressed in a 'Fred uniform' of blue overalls and oil impregnated cap.

Fred Dibnah was a lover of beautiful things, and had a great natural talent for communicating his enthusiasm. Unlike Titchmarsh and his nauseating ilk, he was a genuine person, not a career tosser.

I saw most of the programe last night and thought it was great.

They even managed to find some working sheffield forgers to interview. They looked like proud men who had worked hard for most of their lives and could still have a laugh in the pub afterwards. Made me proud to be from this fair city.

(which was a good job after the embarrassment of watching them go all the way to the top of wincobank to get a good panoramic view of sheffield only to sit there in the rain being able to see absolutely nought!)


Who were the boring dweebs at the abbeydale industrial hamlet though - they couldn't make conversation - & just wanted to play with their crucibles?

I still don't know who this gentleman is.

Does anyone have any idea what Freds last steam project was,I need this info for a mate.cheers.

I dunno tosh, but anyone who has digital will find his programmes are often shown on UKTV History.

Britain's first, and probably last celebrity steeplejack. :|

yeah, they show em on uktv all the time. i once sat and watched 8 solid hours of his programmes. i think he makes quite a boring/misunderstood subject very interesting.

especially his de-monster-ations.

Cheers I have had a look on the net & I think it's Betsy a steamroller.

His last offical project i believe was to drive his Steam Engine around Britian visiting old industrial sites. It ended in London when he picked up his O.B.E. I think that is what the BeeB are showing at the moment.

Great man, wish i had met him.

R.I.P Fred.

O' ah.

I think he has been down to the Elsecar Heritage a few years ago,they always have show's on all the time.Classic Cars etc: