ARNOLD Yarrow, the beloved actor known for his guest role in the classic Doctor Who series, has died at the age of 104.
Yarrow was the oldest surviving credited cast member in the history of the iconic science fiction show.
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The British actor, screenwriter, and playwright had a career spanning several decades.
Born in 1920, he became a familiar face on television screens and a respected figure behind the scenes as a writer.
Yarrow made his mark on Doctor Who in 1974, playing the fan-favourite character Bellal in the serial Death to the Daleks.
Appearing alongside Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor and Elisabeth Sladen’s Sarah Jane Smith, Yarrow’s Bellal was a member of the Exxilon species who assisted the Time Lord in battling the Daleks.
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Portraying Bellal required Yarrow to wear a complex and cumbersome costume, an experience he candidly discussed in a 2020 interview with Doctor Who historian Toby Hadoke.
“It was made of separate bits that were all glued together – I was stuck in there for three hours at a time,” Yarrow recalled.
“There were two tiny pinholes for eyes to look out of and nostrils to breathe through. My vision was extremely limited.”
Devastated fans have been paying heartfelt tributes to the late star online.
On X (formerly Twitter), one user shared a clip from Death to the Daleks, writing: “RIP Arnold Yarrow (1920–2024) Yarrow appeared (completely consumed in a latex costume which utilised front axial projection to make it glow) as Bellal in ‘Death to the Daleks’ alongside Jon Pertwee and Elisabeth Sladen.”
Another fan, meanwhile, posted: “Bye bye, Bellal RIP Arnold Yarrow”
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Despite the challenges of the role, Yarrow fondly remembered Jon Pertwee, praising the Doctor Who star’s kindness and support on set.
“Jon was very considerate,” Yarrow told Radio Times.
“He looked after me and guided me around the set.”
But he admitted that the discomfort of the costume would have deterred him from a longer stint on the show.
Bellal’s popularity endured as the character was seen as “oddly endearing” despite his peculiar appearance.
Bellal also made a brief return via archive footage in The Sarah Jane Adventures in 2010.
Beyond Doctor Who, Yarrow enjoyed a prolific career in British television.
He appeared in early episodes of EastEnders as Benny Bloom, as well as roles in Coronation Street, Dr Finlay’s Casebook, and Life with Cooper.
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Yarrow also contributed as a scriptwriter for shows such as EastEnders and Softly, Softly.
Arnold Yarrow leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances and creative contributions to British television, cherished by fans of all generations.
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