Fans hoping to see Chris Barrie back on stage with his Red Dwarf castmates this weekend were met with disappointing news.
The beloved actor has announced he’s pulling out of multiple events—including a much-anticipated London Comic Con appearance—due to an unexpected and still-unclear medical situation.
Health Mystery Forces Summer and Autumn Withdrawals
The 65-year-old, best known for his role as the hilariously uptight hologram Arnold Rimmer on Red Dwarf, shared a brief but heartfelt message on his official website.
“Over the last week, I’ve been dealing with a medical situation that I’m only just beginning to get my head around,” he wrote.
While he didn’t offer specifics about what he’s dealing with, Chris made it clear that he’s cancelled all public appearances planned for the summer and autumn months.
“Updates on all this will be issued as and when,” he added, keeping fans informed but understandably guarded about his personal health.
A Red Dwarf Reunion Without Rimmer
His absence at London Comic Con, where he was due to reunite with fellow Red Dwarf legends Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, and Hattie Hayridge, has left fans understandably disappointed.
“Obviously I shall miss not being with the posse in London this Sunday, but I’m afraid that is the way it is,” Chris said, closing his message with a warm wish: “Enjoy!”
The event had been hyped as a major gathering for Red Dwarf fans, marking a rare opportunity to see the core cast together again.
One Hopeful Date Still on the Calendar
There is, however, a small silver lining.
Chris is still tentatively planning to appear at Scarborough Unleashed on November 9, depending on how things go.
“I shall leave Scarborough on the itinerary for now and will look forward to returning there in the early winter,” he shared optimistically.
The Legacy of a Sci-Fi Comedy Icon
Chris Barrie has long been a pillar of British comedy and cult sci-fi.
Red Dwarf, which launched back in 1988 on BBC Two, became a global hit thanks to its offbeat blend of space travel, sarcasm, and surreal characters.
At its peak, it drew over 8 million viewers, sold more than 11.5 million DVDs and tapes, and reached fans in over 25 countries.
Beyond his work as Rimmer, Chris also shined in other iconic roles—most memorably as Gordon Brittas in The Brittas Empire, and as Hilary the butler in the Tomb Raider films starring Angelina Jolie.
From Engines to Impressions and More
Chris also showed his presenting chops on shows like Discovery Channel’s Massive Engines, later spinning that into Massive Machines and Massive Speed, which aired in the mid-2000s.
And let’s not forget his time as one of the standout voice artists on the satirical classic Spitting Image.
Fans Send Their Love
Though many are sad to see Chris step back for now, the reaction has been full of support and well wishes.
Fans are just hoping for his full recovery—and maybe a triumphant return down the line.
In the meantime, we’re all sending him strength, comfort, and a massive thank you for the decades of laughs.