Obituary

Mel Bibby.

28 June, 2002

Having trained at art college, Mel's first job as an assistant was on the chaotic game show It's a Knockout. He went on to work for BBC Manchester for more than 20 years as a designer, on shows ranging from drama and comedy to light entertainment and current affairs. Fans may since have seen his name on top dramas such as Common as Muck and Making Out.

Mel was actually asked by Paul Jackson to join Red Dwarf from the beginning - having worked for the producer on and Happy Families - but the schedule clashed with Filthy Rich and Catflap. He also worked on another Craig Charles sci-fi programme, the Virtual Reality game show Cyberzone.

Since his arrival on Red Dwarf for the third series in 1989, Mel Bibby has been the man most responsible for the show's remarkable look. Working on small, sit-com budgets, Mel created innovative sets for every new series. From the magnificent re-invention of the sleeping quarters and the creation of Starbug's interior to the glossy Holoship sets, Mel's work gave the show the look of a Hollywood movie, citing genre classics such as Alien as his inspiration.

Mel Bibby passed away on Saturday, June the 15th after long illness. He was 54. The Red Dwarf universe just won't look the same without him.

Mr Flibble Talks To... Mel Bibby in an interview from February, 2001.