Star cancelled all appearances earlier this year after being hit by a ‘health situation’
10:49, 08 Aug 2025Updated 10:57, 08 Aug 2025
Robert Llewellyn as Kryten, Craig Charles as Dave Lister and Chris Barrie as Arnold Rimmer – Barrie has given a new health update to fans(Image: Getty Images)
Red Dwarf legend Chris Barrie has given worried fans an update after being struck with a ‘health situation’ earlier this year. The 65-year-old played Arnold J. Rimmer on the popular science fiction sitcom which has been a smash hit on the BBC and has a huge fanbase.
A post earlier this year said he had cancelled all forthcoming public appearances due to an ongoing “medical situation”. He had been due to appear at London Comic Con over the weekend alongside Red Dwarf co-stars Robert Llewellyn, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, and Hattie Hayridge.
Now he has given an update in a new post on his website. He said: “For those interested, here is an update on my health situation. Since being discharged from hospital in early July I have been feeling better and stronger with each passing day. I am not on any medication and am now a month into a 3-4 month healing process and there may be more diagnostic tests towards the end of that period.
“Apologies for being utterly non specific but I would rather keep it that way for now. So, in brief, feeling much more myself, enjoying being at home and busying myself with light tasks, although this is about to be stepped up to medium tasks….
“With regard to working, it is still too early to say. If my rate of recovery remains the same as over the last month, then I could be looking at working the odd day in October, but I will not be in a position to confirm this until early September. As usual I will update on this page as and when anything is confirmed. In the meantime good ‘ol Scarborough remains on the schedule as I really hope to be back working by November.”
The popular science fiction sitcom aired on the BBC from 1988 to 1999 and on Dave from 2009 to 2020. The show, starring Craig Charles as Dave Lister, the last living human, gained a cult following over time.
Barrie is also known for his role as Gordon Brittas in The Brittas Empire. Fans greeted the better news and Paul said: “When I heard Chris was ill, like a lot of people, my stomach churned. It’s massively good news he is recovering and I hope he’s back on his feet soon. I know we all say this because of Ace Rimmer but I’m talking about Chris Barrie. What A Guy!”
Angela said: ”Thanks for sharing. Bless him. I hope he stays in “stasis” relaxing for a full recovers. Ruth said: “That’s great news. I hope he still gets to film RD as planned and that he’s well and happy. Great that he’s not having to be on any meds.”
Mart D. added: “Get well soon Chris. Awful being laid up in dock, but Scarborough is even worse.”
A Coronation Street star was due to appear at London Film and Comic-Con this weekend, but pulled out due to a family emergency
Coronation Street star concerns fans as they pull out of event after family emergency(Image: UKTV)
Coronation Street star Craig Charles concerned fans after he pulled out of his scheduled appearance at London Film and Comic-Con this weekend. The 60-year-old actor is best known for playing Lloyd Mullaney for a decade on the long-running soap, but was due to appear at the event for his Red Dwarf character, Dave Lister.
The star was due to appear alongside Red Dwarf co-stars Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn and Hattie Hayridge. Taking to their Facebook page, London Film and Comic-Con wrote: “We contacted Craig at 9am to be told that due to a family emergency, he would not be in until 11am. At 11.30am we spent 20 minutes knocking on his hotel room door where there was no answer.
The organiser’s confirmed Craig Charles wouldn’t be at the event(Image: ITV)
“His Red Dwarf colleagues were able to contact him at 12.30, where he confirmed he was ill and unable to attend. These are the facts.
“The Group shot will go ahead with Danny, Robert and Hattie, and ticket holders will receive an automatic £60 refund to allow for the change of lineup. If anybody does not want the group shot, any unused tickets will automatically be refunded after the show.”
Not long after the post was shared, Craig took to his X/Twitter to apologise to fans, writing: “I’d just like to say sorry to showmasters and the fans at comicon. I made it to the hotel but woke up at 3 this morning with stomach pains.
He played Dave Lister on sci-fi comedy, Red Dwarf(Image: BBC/Grant Naylor Productions)
“I then proceeded to be violently ill for hours. Not a pretty sight. I tried to see if it would wear off but at 10 am I called it off and came back to Manchester.
“I’m feeling slightly better now, and I’m drinking lots of water and electrolytes. Again sorry for the cancellation and I look forward to next time.”
Fans rushed to the comment section to share their support, with one fan posting: “Hope you feel better.
“You don’t have anything to apologise for trust me someone that just got food poisoning two days ago I know exactly what you mean by coming down with something very quickly.”
Another concerned fans posted: “Take care of yourself. I’ve been watching you as Dave Lister since I was a child, Red Dwarf was and is still my favorite show.
“Lister inspired my love for curry and good tunes. It may be sad, but you were the closest thing I had to a father figure. Love from America, my guy.”
One commented: “As long as you’re on the mend that’s the main thing.” Red Dwarf is a sci-fi comedy that aired between 1988 and 1999, which follows technician Dave Lister, who awakens after being suspended animation for three million years to find that he is the last living human and that he’s alone on the mining spacecraft.
Butlin’s is introducing seven brand-new Big Weekenders in 2025 and 2026 across all three resorts—Bognor Regis, Minehead, and Skegness—and also offering a 20% discount off the adult-only breaks
Win the ultimate VIP experience at a Butlin’s Big Weekender!(Image: Butlin’s)
The biggest holiday park party weekend of the year is back and bigger than ever.
Butlin’s Big Weekenders is an event exclusively for adults that turns the three Butlin’s holiday parks into a riot of music and drinking. The event is known for bringing the same kind of chaotic good vibes that Brits typically venture out to Magaluf or Zante in search of.
“I went to a Skegness 80s one for my stag do (was 26). The best way I can describe it was freshers week (weekend) for people in their 40s and 50s who didn’t go to uni. Just mayhem, really. At one point I was drinking rum and Coke out of a large sock whilst watching a band,” one happy customer relayed on Reddit.
Another fondly remembered: “I think on the whole we can all agree the crowd is very much the salt of the earth (myself included), however in all the times, I haven’t seen even so much as an argument, never mind a fight. The whole setup is brilliant and everyone is just on their best, albeit their most unhinged behaviour. I’m a gay guy and I’ve been in fancy dress as a woman a couple of times – nothing but good vibes from every single person I met. No homophobia, nothing.”
The holiday park also hosts party people (Image: undefined via Getty Images)
Now Butlin’s is introducing seven brand-new Big Weekenders in 2025 and 2026 across all three resorts—Bognor Regis, Minehead, and Skegness—and also offering a 20% discount off the adult-only breaks. Many of them are themed and include weekends dedicated to the best electronic or funky 90s soul music and celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community and Mod culture.
The Big Weekender features bands and DJs alongside a packed schedule of daytime and evening activities, such as pool parties and pop-up exhibitions. The ticket price includes three nights’ accommodation.
Here’s what’s coming up:
2025
Halloweekenders (Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness, 3 – 31 October) from £53pp
Classic decade-themed Big Weekenders across all three resorts are getting a spooky makeover this October, transforming into Halloweekenders. From £53pp, guests can choose from Ultimate 80s Thriller, 90s Reloaded Fright Nights, Back To The 2000s Y2K Scares or a monster mash-up of all these decades with Replay Time Warp Terror. Headline acts include Chesney Hawkes, Claire Richards and A1.
DJ Spoony Presents UNDRGRND (Skegness, 7 – 10 November) from £96pp
For the first time, DJ Spoony is heading to Skegness for 72 hours of clubbing heaven with his brand-new multi-genre break UNDRGRND, following the sell-out success of his A House Full of Garage Weekenders. From £96pp, committed clubbers will not only see the garage pioneer himself, but also David Rodigan, Majestic and radio DJs Rickie & Melvin, playing a mash up of R&B and Dancehall, House and Garage, and Jungle and Drum n Bass.
Madness House of Fun Weekender (Minehead, 28 November – 1 December) from £205pp
Returning to Minehead’s Big Weekender line-up in 2025 is the House of Fun Weekender. From £205pp, fans will be treated to an incredible one-night-only performance by Madness, as well as performances from The Specials – Neville Staple, Aleighcia Scott, Janet Kay and over 20 other artists and DJs. There’s also a jam-packed schedule of activities throughout the weekend, from diving headfirst into The Nutty Professors Pool Party, breaking a sweat at Reggae Aerobics or shouting ‘BINGO’ at Bangerz Bingo.
2026
My Generation Weekender (Minehead, 9 – 12 January) from £131pp
Minehead will kick0start 2026 with a celebration of Mod culture in the form of the My Generation Weekender. The specially curated weekend for Mod fans will feature bands and DJs from the UK and international Modernist scene, including Ocean Colour Scene, Secret Affairs and The Dualers.
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Soul Power Weekender (Skegness, 16 – 18 January) from £114pp
Celebrate the ‘neo-soul’ era of the early 90s with the Soul Power Weekender at Skegness. With a fusion of funk, R&B and acid jazz jams, defining artists of the soul scene, such as Trevor Nelson, Craig Charles and The Brand New Heavies, will be taking the stage throughout the weekend.
Don’t Tell Mama (Bognor Regis, 23 – 26 January) from £113pp
The Bognor Regis resort will host a brand-new LGBTQ+ Big Weekender, Don’t Tell Mama. The Weekender is dedicated to a community that knows how to party, and they’ll be joined by Claire Richards and Louise Redknapp, drag icons Danny Beard and La Voix, plus a whole host of other artists and DJs.
Bugged Out! (Bognor Regis, 6 – 9 March) from £133pp
The legendary clubbing brand’s Weekender boasts a line-up of the best DJs and artists in the electronic music space, including Daniel Avery, Emerald and Helena Hauff. They’ll be blasting only the greatest electronic music, with acid house and techno for the energetic crowd and Balearic beats for those chasing a more chilled vibe. Before guests get ready for another unforgettable night, there’s pool parties, pub quizzes, fairgrounds and so much more, to ensure the good vibes last all day.
