Remembering Kevin Corbishley, the talented BBC crew member who worked on Ghosts, Call the Midwife, and Anna Karenina. Learn about his career, legacy, and the heartfelt tributes following his death in 2022.
Quick Facts About Kevin Corbishley
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kevin “Kev” Corbishley |
| Birth Year | 1965 |
| Death | Early 2022 (Age 56) |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Light Rigger, Standby Rigger, Camera & Electrical Department |
| Known For | BBC’s Ghosts, Call the Midwife, Anna Karenina |
| Years Active | 1990s-2022 |
| Notable Credits | Ghosts (2021-2022), Call the Midwife (2020-2022), Responsible Child (2019), Anna Karenina (2012) |
| Tributes | Honored by both Ghosts Season 4 and Call the Midwife Season 11 |
Who Was Kevin Corbishley?
Behind every successful television production stands an army of dedicated professionals whose names rarely make headlines but whose contributions shape the stories millions enjoy. Kevin Corbishley was one such individual—a highly respected British light rigger and camera department specialist whose technical expertise and warm personality left an indelible mark on the UK entertainment industry.
Born in 1965, Kevin spent decades working behind the scenes on some of Britain’s most beloved television shows and films. His death in early 2022 at age 56 sent shockwaves through the production community, prompting heartfelt tributes from two major BBC series that recognized not just his technical skills, but his value as a friend and colleague.
Kevin Corbishley’s Career in Film and Television
Early Career and Anna Karenina
Kevin Corbishley began his journey in the entertainment industry working in art departments on major film productions. One of his earliest notable credits was the 2012 film adaptation of Anna Karenina, directed by Joe Wright and starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law. Working as a plasterer’s laborer in the art department, Kevin contributed to creating the film’s lavish period settings and intricate theatrical staging that earned widespread critical acclaim.
This experience in film production laid the foundation for his transition into the camera and electrical departments, where he would eventually become known for his rigging expertise.
Transition to Television Rigging
As Kevin’s career progressed, he shifted focus to television work, specializing as a standby rigger and light rigger. These roles are essential to any production—responsible for setting up, maintaining, and operating the complex lighting and camera support equipment that brings scenes to life. Rigging demands technical precision, spatial awareness, physical strength, and a deep understanding of cinematography and safety protocols.
Kevin mastered this craft, developing a reputation throughout the industry as someone who was not only technically proficient but also reliable, collaborative, and genuinely kind—qualities that made him invaluable on set.
Kevin Corbishley and BBC’s Ghosts
His Role on the Hit Comedy Series
Kevin Corbishley joined the production team of BBC’s supernatural comedy Ghosts during its second season, working as a light rigger from 2021 to 2022. The show, which premiered in 2019, quickly became a fan favorite for its clever blend of comedy, history, and the supernatural, following a young couple who inherit a haunted country mansion.
Lighting plays a crucial role in Ghosts, as the series constantly shifts between different time periods, emotional tones, and comedic beats while maintaining both spooky atmospheres and warm, inviting moments. Kevin’s expertise helped create the show’s distinctive visual style—balancing bright humor with eerie supernatural elements in a way that felt natural rather than jarring.
The Ghosts Season 4 Tribute
Tragically, Kevin passed away in early 2022, just before production began on the fourth season of Ghosts. His sudden death deeply affected the cast and crew, many of whom had worked alongside him for multiple seasons and considered him a close friend.
When Ghosts Season 4 premiered in September 2022, the first episode concluded with a moving dedication that appeared just before the credits: “In loving memory of our friend Kevin Corbishley.” This tribute sparked widespread curiosity among viewers, many of whom took to social media asking who Kevin was, leading to an outpouring of recognition for his behind-the-scenes contributions.
Kevin Corbishley’s Work on Call the Midwife
Contributing to a Television Institution
From 2020 until his death in early 2022, Kevin worked as a standby rigger on Call the Midwife, the long-running BBC period drama that chronicles the lives of midwives in post-war East London. He worked on 17 episodes of the series, contributing to the show’s emotionally resonant storytelling and historical authenticity.
Call the Midwife presents unique challenges for lighting and camera crews—the production requires creating warm, period-authentic atmospheres while filming intimate scenes in cramped spaces, busy street settings, and emotionally intense moments. Kevin’s technical skills ensured that the lighting consistently supported the show’s storytelling goals while maintaining safety and efficiency on set.
Call the Midwife Season 11 Memorial
The final episode of Call the Midwife Season 11, which aired in February 2022, honored Kevin with a simple yet powerful tribute: “In memory of Kev Corbishley: 1965 – 2022.”
Following the episode, the official Call the Midwife Twitter account responded to fans asking about the dedication, describing Kevin as “a dearly loved member of our crew who died very recently” and expressing that “he will be missed.” These gestures reflected the genuine grief felt by the close-knit production family that had lost one of its most valued members.
Kevin Corbishley and Responsible Child
In 2019, Kevin served as a standby rigger on Responsible Child, a critically acclaimed BBC television movie directed by Nick Holt. Based on true events, the powerful drama starred Billy Barratt as a 12-year-old boy on trial for murder, examining the UK legal system’s treatment of child offenders.
The film received international recognition, with Barratt becoming the youngest person ever to win an International Emmy Award for Best Actor at age 13. Kevin’s behind-the-scenes work supported the visual quality and reliability that helped bring this important story to life.
Kevin Corbishley Biography: The Man Behind the Work
Personal Character and Professional Reputation
While limited information is publicly available about Kevin Corbishley’s personal life—a reflection of his role working behind the camera rather than in front of it—his colleagues consistently described him as dedicated, talented, warm, and collaborative.
In an industry where hundreds of crew members cycle through productions, the decision by both Ghosts and Call the Midwife to publicly honor Kevin speaks volumes about his personal impact. These tributes weren’t merely procedural acknowledgments; they were heartfelt expressions of loss from production families who considered Kevin a friend as much as a colleague.
The Importance of Technical Crew Members
Kevin’s story highlights the essential contributions of technical professionals who work behind the scenes in film and television. While actors, directors, and writers typically receive the majority of public recognition, the visual and emotional resonance of any production depends heavily on lighting, sound, rigging, set design, and countless other elements managed by skilled specialists.
Light riggers like Kevin enable cinematographers to capture the perfect shot, help create mood and atmosphere, ensure safety on set, and solve countless technical challenges that arise during production. Their work is felt in every frame, even though their names scroll past quickly in the credits.
The Kevin Corbishley Ghosts Tribute: Why It Mattered
Honoring the Unseen
When Ghosts dedicated its Season 4 premiere to Kevin Corbishley, it represented more than a memorial—it was a statement about valuing every member of a production team. In an industry where on-screen talent often overshadows behind-the-scenes contributions, these tributes reminded audiences that creating beloved television requires collaboration, dedication, and expertise from dozens of professionals.
The tribute resonated with viewers and industry professionals alike, sparking conversations about the importance of recognizing technical crew members. Entertainment journalists and trade publications praised the gesture, noting that it highlighted how vital—yet often invisible—these contributions are to storytelling.
A Rare Dual Honor
The fact that two separate major BBC productions—Call the Midwife and Ghosts—independently chose to dedicate episodes to Kevin demonstrates his widespread impact within the industry. Such dual tributes are uncommon and reflect the genuine relationships Kevin built across different productions and departments throughout his career.
Kevin Corbishley Death 2022: Remembering His Final Contributions
Kevin Corbishley passed away in early 2022 at the age of 56. The specific cause of his death has not been made public, respecting the privacy of his family and loved ones. His passing occurred just before Ghosts began filming its fourth season, meaning his work on the show’s third season represented some of his final professional contributions.
Though Kevin’s death was not widely reported in mainstream media—reflecting his behind-the-scenes role—it reverberated deeply within the British television production community. The tributes from Call the Midwife and Ghosts ensured that his contributions would be remembered by the millions of viewers who enjoy these shows.
Kevin Corbishley Obituary: A Legacy of Excellence
While no formal public obituary was published for Kevin Corbishley, the on-screen dedications from both Ghosts and Call the Midwife serve as lasting memorials to his life and work. These tributes captured the essence of what made Kevin special: his technical mastery, his reliability, his kindness, and his ability to build genuine friendships with colleagues across the industry.
In the years since his passing, Kevin’s story continues to inspire discussions within the entertainment industry about recognizing technical professionals. Industry forums, crew networks, and training programs often reference individuals like Kevin as examples of dedicated craftsmanship and the importance of valuing every member of a production team.
Understanding Kevin Corbishley’s Role: What Does a Light Rigger Do?
To fully appreciate Kevin Corbishley’s contributions, it helps to understand what light riggers and standby riggers actually do:
Light Rigger Responsibilities:
- Installing and positioning lighting equipment safely and securely
- Working with cinematographers to achieve desired lighting effects
- Rigging lights at heights using scaffolding, ladders, or specialized equipment
- Ensuring all electrical and rigging work meets safety standards
- Problem-solving technical challenges during production
- Collaborating with camera, electrical, and other departments
This work requires a unique combination of technical knowledge, physical capability, artistic sensibility, and meticulous attention to safety. A well-lit hospital corridor in Call the Midwife or a perfectly timed comedic shot in Ghosts doesn’t happen by chance—it results from countless hours of planning, testing, and teamwork by professionals like Kevin.
The Broader Impact: Kevin Corbishley’s Industry Legacy
Inspiring Recognition for Crew Members
Kevin Corbishley’s story has become part of the cultural conversation about recognizing behind-the-scenes talent in entertainment. When viewers noticed the tributes to Kevin and asked questions, it created opportunities to educate audiences about the dozens of specialists required to produce the shows they love.
This awareness helps shift industry culture toward greater appreciation for technical professionals, potentially inspiring young people to pursue careers in these essential but often overlooked roles.
A Symbol of Professional Excellence
Within the industry, Kevin represents the best qualities of behind-the-scenes professionals: mastery of craft, dedication to collaboration, consistency in performance, and genuine care for colleagues. His legacy serves as a reminder that true greatness in entertainment doesn’t always come with applause or public recognition—sometimes it’s about the quiet consistency of excellent work and the positive impact on everyone around you.
More Read
Conclusion: Remembering Kevin Corbishley
Kevin Corbishley may not have been a household name during his lifetime, but his contributions to British television were extraordinary. Through his work on Call the Midwife, Ghosts, Responsible Child, Anna Karenina, and other productions, he helped craft experiences that millions of viewers around the world have enjoyed.
The heartfelt tributes from both Ghosts and Call the Midwife in 2022 ensured that Kevin’s legacy extends beyond the productions he worked on. These dedications reminded audiences that every name scrolling past in the credits represents a real person whose skill, dedication, and passion contributed to the art form we all love.
In a media world often obsessed with celebrity, Kevin Corbishley’s story offers an important correction: every person on a production matters. The light riggers, sound technicians, costume designers, grips, and countless other specialists are not just supporting players—they are the foundation upon which great storytelling is built.
As viewers continue to enjoy Ghosts, Call the Midwife, and the other projects Kevin worked on, his influence lives on in every beautifully lit scene, every perfectly captured moment, and every technical element that works seamlessly to transport audiences into these fictional worlds.
Kevin “Kev” Corbishley (1965-2022) will be remembered not just for his technical expertise, but for embodying the spirit of collaboration, professionalism, and quiet excellence that makes the entertainment industry work. His light may have gone out too soon, but the illumination he provided—both literally through his work and figuratively through his kindness—continues to shine.
