Nigel McCrery, the creator of Silent Witness, has sadly passed away at 71 after a “shock” terminal illness. The TV veteran, also known for creating New Tricks, revealed in October last year that he had been diagnosed with an unspecified terminal illness. United Agents wrote on social media: “It’s with a heavy heart that we share the news of screenwriter, author and producer Nigel McCrery’s passing. As the creative mind behind such hits as the much loved long running BBC drama series Silent Witness and New Tricks, Nigel captivated and inspired audiences for years with his work. His numerous contributions to the arts will always be remembered. Nigel had an incredible career and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Silent Witness’ creator Nigel McCrery has died aged 71
(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
Before embarking on his TV career, McCrery served as a police officer with the murder squad in Nottingham. He joined the BBC on a graduate scheme in 1990 before transitioning to the drama department, reports the Mirror. His first show was Backup, a series about a police operational support unit that aired from 1995 to 1997. McCrery then went on to create Silent Witness, the popular series that follows forensic pathologists and scientists. It released its latest, 28th series, this year. McCrery is also known for creating New Tricks, which debuted in 2003. This series brought together three retired police officers to crack cold cases and featured Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong, and James Bolam. It enjoyed strong ratings until its conclusion in 2015 after 12 successful series. McCrery’s other notable work includes the 1950s-set medical drama Born And Bred, which he co-created with Broadchurch’s Chris Chibnall, airing in the 2000s.
Nigel McCrery revealed last year he was diagnosed with an unspecified terminal illness
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said she was “deeply saddened” by the news, and added “our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time”. “Nigel was behind some of UK television’s most loved dramas, and his skill for creating brilliant stories with beautifully drawn characters shone for all to see,” she also said. “The enduring success of Silent Witness, still entertaining millions of viewers after almost 30 years, is a testament to his incredible talent and he will be sorely missed.” In November last year, McCrery bravely opened up about his terminal diagnosis, revealing the “shock” it caused him, to BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live programme. He reflected on the personal impact, saying: “I mean people deal with their deaths in different ways, and I think it’s all very, very individual to each of us,” and added: “But I think for a little while you do go into shock – or I did, and I was in a bit of a state.”
In October 2024, Nigel McCrery called his terminal diagnosis “quite a shock”
(Image: BBC)
Speaking just three weeks post-diagnosis, he confessed: “I used to cry a lot, I used to sob a lot.” When host Nikki Bedi remarked on his use of past tense, McCrery responded: “I don’t know how long it’ll take me to get used to that. It’s not that I’m scared of dying, I’m actually not. I have wonderful granddaughters, and it’s missing them growing up. It’s the things I’ll be missing by not being around that I’ll find the hardest to cope with.” The TV show creator said that the diagnosis was in the back of his mind “all the time”, and an emotional reaction could be set off by something like music. “I don’t like crying in public, so I tend to get myself out of the way until it’s out of my system,” he shared. “And I’m hoping that as time goes on and the realisation becomes more real that I’ll calm down completely. “I’m more scared of crying in front of my granddaughters, actually.” McCrery did not specify the nature of the illness but added: “You push, and you try and get this made and that made, but the bottom line is – the best bet is to be with your family.”
