Acting
Apr 28, 1938
Bolton, Lancashire, England, UK
Fred Dibnah
Acting
Biography
Frederick "Fred" Dibnah MBE (28 April 1938 – 6 November 2004), born in Bolton, was an English steeplejack and eccentric with a keen interest in mechanical engineering who became a cult television personality. Dibnah was born in a country which then relied heavily upon coal to fuel its industry. As a child he was fascinated by the steam engines which powered the many textile mills in Bolton, but he paid particular attention to chimneys and the men who worked on them. He began his working life as a joiner, before becoming a steeplejack. From age 22, he served for two years in the armed forces, as part of his national service. Once demobilised, he returned to steeplejacking but met with limited success until he was asked to repair Bolton's parish church. The resulting publicity provided a welcome boost to his business, ensuring he was almost never out of work. In 1978, while making repairs to Bolton Town Hall, Dibnah was filmed by a regional BBC news crew. The BBC then commissioned an award-winning documentary, which followed the rough-hewn steeplejack as he worked on chimneys, interacted with his family and talked about his favourite hobby—steam. His Lancastrian manner and gentle, self-taught philosophical outlook, proved popular with viewers and he featured in a number of television programmes. Toward the end of his life, the decline of Britain's industry was mirrored by a decline in his steeplejacking business and Dibnah increasingly came to rely on after-dinner speaking for his income. In 1998, he presented a programme on Britain's industrial history and went on to present a number of series, largely concerned with theIndustrial Revolution and its mechanical and architectural legacy. He died from cancer in November 2004, aged 66. He is survived by his five children from three marriages.
Feature Films (4)
Bolton Steeplejack Fred Dibnah has scaled great heights in his career. In this fascinating documentary, you will get to see him climb a 100 foot chimney that he is preparing for steam powered demolition. Further steamy exploits see Fred behind the wheel of a road roller and fixing a steam engine: part of an average day of an extraordinary man.
Fred Dibnah's Getting Steamed Up
The original 1979 documentary that introduced the world to Bolton steeplejack Fred Dibnah as he goes about his death-defying job demolishing or repairing factory chimneys, steeples and towers.
Fred Dibnah, Steeplejack
The ex-steeplejack takes his obsession with Britain's industrial past to the extreme as he attempts to reconstruct a coalmine in his back garden. A 100-foot deep shaft, complete with pithead gear and a fully operational steam-powered winding engine? It's an ambitious project, but if anyone has the passion to see it through, it's Fred Dibnah.
Dig with Dibnah
"One mistake up here and it's half a day out with the undertaker!" The amazing world of Fred Dibnah - Britain's legendary Steeplejack - and star of the acclaimed BBC TV series 'Fred Dibnah - Steeplejack', 'A Year with Fred' and many other TV documentaries. Watch in awe as Fred demolishes the towering brick built chimneys of Britain's industrial past. See the nail biting moment as Fred sets the fire going to Rugby Mill Chimney at Oldham, Lancashire - just 4'6" from the next building! See how the master steeplejack ladders a chimney from start to spectacular finish. Enjoy the wit and wisdom of one of Britain's most colourful characters and 'Watch them Fall Down!
Fred Dibnah's The Ups and Downs of Chimneys
Television & Series (15)
Series which looks at the many sides of Fred Dibnah - engineer, steeplejack, artist, craftsman, steam enthusiast and inventor - and celebrates his contribution to our knowledge and appreciation of Britain's architectural, industrial and engineering heritage.
Fred Dibnah's World of Steam, Steel and Stone
Fred Dibnah traces the development of steam power from the earliest experiments in the ancient world to the modern nuclear power station.
Fred Dibnah's Age of Steam
Documentary series in which Fred Dibnah travels around Britain in his restored traction engine in search of engineering skills and technology from a bygone age.
Fred Dibnah's Made in Britain
Documentary series presented by Fred Dibnah, looking at people whose work and ingenuity helped found the prosperity and fame of the Victorian age including railway builder Robert Stephenson, ship and bridge designer Isambard Brunel and armaments industry founder William Armstrong.
