Chris Barrie Cancels Appearances Due to Medical Issue

Red Dwarf icon Chris Barrie has pulled out of multiple public appearances due to a mystery ‘medical situation’.

The TV star, 65, best known for playing uptight hologram Arnold Rimmer in the cult sci-fi sitcom, was expected to reunite with his castmates at London Comic Con over the weekend, but dropped out at the last minute, citing worrying health issues.

In a statement posted on his website, Chris told fans: ‘Hello everyone.

‘I’m going to be brief, but over the last week I have been dealing with a medical situation which I am only just beginning to get my head around.

He added that all planned appearances ‘over the summer and into the autumn’ have now been scrapped, leaving followers concerned for his well-being.

‘Updates on all this will be issued as and when,’ he added.

Red Dwarf icon Chris Barrie has left fans stunned after pulling out of multiple public appearances due to a mystery ‘medical situation’ 

The TV star, 65, best known for playing Arnold Rimmer in the cult sci-fi sitcom, was expected to reunite with his cast mates at London Comic Con over the weekend, but dropped out

The beloved actor was due to join Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn and Hattie Hayridge for a long-awaited Red Dwarf reunion that had fans buzzing.

While Chris didn’t go into detail about the nature of his condition, he did confirm he’s still hoping to keep one date in the diary, a comedy appearance at Scarborough Unleashed on November 9.

He said: ‘In the meantime I shall leave Scarborough on the itinerary for now and will look forward to returning there in the early winter.’

Apologising for missing the London event, Chris added: ‘Obviously I shall miss not being with the posse in London this Sunday but I’m afraid that is the way it is. Enjoy!’

Red Dwarf, which first launched on BBC Two in 1988, became a sci-fi sensation with its bonkers tale of last-man-alive Dave Lister floating through deep space with a hologram, an android, a humanoid cat and a sarcastic spaceship computer.

At the height of its fame, it pulled in over 8million viewers, racked up global sales of more than 11.5million DVDs and videos, and aired in around 25 countries. 

The sci-fi comedy also scooped prestigious honours, including an International Emmy and multiple British Comedy Awards.

The series ran until 1999 before being revived on digital channel Dave, with its final episode airing in 2020.

Craig Charles (middle) played Lloyd Mullaney on Coronation Street for 10 years, but left the gig to reunite back with his cast mates (pictured L-R: Chris Barrie, Robert Llewellyn, Craig Charles and Danny John-Jules outside Coronation Street’s Rovers Return)

As well as Red Dwarf, Chris also starred as Hilary, Angelina Jolie’s butler in Tomb Raider.

He also plated Gordon Brittas, the most irritating manager in The Brittas Empire which aired on BBC One as one of the principal male voice artists on Spitting Image.

At the beginning of 2004 Chris also presented on Discovery Channel’s Massive Engines.

Chris Barrie’s Massive Machines followed in late ’04 and Massive Speed was completed in 2006.