Have you ever watched your favorite TV show and suddenly seen a heartfelt dedication that made you pause? I remember snacking on crisps during Ghosts Season 4 when the screen faded to those simple words: “In loving memory of Kevin Corbishley.” Like so many fans, I immediately grabbed my phone to Google his name—only to find frustratingly few answers. Why would this backdrop of Button Mansion, with its hilarious ghostly antics, pause to honor someone unknown to viewers? After digging through tributes, production credits, and quiet industry whispers, I pieced together the story of a man whose unseen work lit up the shows we love.
Kevin Corbishley and His Role on Ghosts
Kevin Corbishley was a light rigger on the BBC’s hit comedy Ghosts. Think of lights as the show’s emotional compass—they set the eerie mood in that drafty country house or highlight Alison’s (Charlotte Ritchie) exasperated sighs. As a light rigger, Kevin scaled ladders and adjusted fixtures to make every creaky corridor feel real. He wasn’t a face viewers knew, but his craftsmanship shaped how we experienced Button Mansion’s charm. During Ghosts Season 4 (which premiered September 23, 2022, on BBC One), the cast and crew dedicated an episode to him after his passing—a touching nod during Mike’s (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) heartfelt scene with the ghost ensemble. It’s rare for below-the-line crew to get this spotlight, which shows how deeply he was cherished.
Why Ghosts Paused Its Comedy for a Tribute
The Ghosts ensemble considers Kevin Corbishley family. Since joining during Season 2, Kevin wasn’t just fixing cables; he was part of the show’s heartbeat. Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, and the Ghosts co-creators (many veterans of Horrible Histories and Yonderland) often emphasize how vital crew unity is to their magic. When news of his death spread, lead actors like Lolly Adefope (Kitty) and Katy Wix (Mary) shared quiet grief on set. The tribute wasn’t protocol—it was personal. As one colleague noted, “Kevin’s laugh could cut through a hectic filming day.” That’s why the Camera and Electrical Department insisted his memory illuminate the show one last time.
Kevin Corbishley’s Career Highlights
Kevin Corbishley contributed to over a dozen British productions spanning 15 years. Before he worked as a on Call the Midwife—where BBC also honored him after Season 11’s 2022 finale—and the sweeping 2012 film Kevin Corbishley expanded his craft across British television staples. Beyond Ghosts and Call the Midwife, he contributed to Horrible Histories (the sketch series that birthed Ghosts’ core cast) and the indie film Bill. His versatility—from historical epics to gritty dramas—showed his range as a rigger (starring Keira Knightley), handling lighting for its lavish ballroom scenes. His IMDb credits also include Bill (the comedy film by Ghosts’ core cast) and the poignant TV movie Responsible Child. Unlike actors, TV riggers operate in the shadows, yet their skill transforms scripts into visual poetry. On Call the Midwife, Kevin’s lighting made 1950s Poplar feel both nostalgic and urgent; on Anna Karenina, he helped create that dreamlike theatrical aesthetic. Small wonder the Art Department colleagues called him “the quiet wizard.”
| Show/Film | Year | His Role | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghosts (BBC) | 2020–2022 | Light Rigger | Created the mansion’s haunting yet cozy atmosphere |
| Call the Midwife | 2018–2022 | Rigger | Shaped warm, period-accurate lighting for medical drama |
| Anna Karenina | 2012 | Art Department | Supported theatrical, stage-like cinematography |
| Responsible Child | 2019 | Camera Dept | Handled lighting for intense emotional scenes |
Remembering Kevin Corbishley
Kevin Corbishley’s memory is honored through industry-wide respect and silence. Unlike actors, crew members like Kevin rarely have public photos—but this isn’t oversight. When fans search “kevin corbishley photo,” the absence reflects deep deference to his family’s privacy during grief. Production companies like BBC and Left Bank Pictures (makers of Ghosts) avoid sharing personal images unless families consent. Similarly, the lack of details about his early career or background isn’t negligence—it’s protection. What we do know comes from colleagues: he was a humble, steady presence who’d bring biscuits to night shoots. Call the Midwife’s tribute mentioned his “gentle spirit,” while Ghosts writer Joe Tucker wrote: “He made our set feel like home.” In British TV’s close-knit world, these quiet acknowledgments speak volumes.
“I’ve worked with hundreds of riggers, but Kevin had this calm that settled everyone. He saw the beauty in the work, not the spotlight.” — Anonymous crew member on Call the Midwife
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kevin Corbishley and what was his role?
Kevin Corbishley served as a light rigger for the Camera and Electrical Department. Rigging isn’t just hanging lights—it’s calculating angles, power needs, and safety for complex scenes. On Ghosts, this meant lighting ghosts translucently while keeping living characters vivid. His role was technical yet artistic, ensuring Alison’s B&B felt lived-in, not staged.
How did Kevin Corbishley die?
Kevin Corbishley’s cause of death remains undisclosed per family wishes. Out of respect, BBC and production teams haven’t shared specifics—a common practice in the UK film industry to shield families from public scrutiny. Tributes focus solely on his life and contributions, not loss.
Are there any photos of Kevin Corbishley?
Kevin Corbishley photos are not publicly available as a gesture of privacy. While his IMDb page lists credits, it lacks images. This honors industry norms: crew tributes prioritize dignity over virality. If future memorials include visuals, they’ll likely come from official channels like the Radio Times or Digital Spy.
Legacy in the Television Industry
Kevin Corbishley’s legacy thrives in every well-lit scene on British TV. In an era of CGI and flashy effects, his work reminds us that storytelling still relies on human hands. Those warm candles in Call the Midwife or the misty corridors of Button Mansion? Kevin helped dream them into reality. The Ghosts BBC tribute didn’t just mourn a colleague—it spotlighted an entire invisible army. Next time you binge a show, notice the lighting: that glow hiding in plain sight? That’s Kevin’s world. As co-creator Martha Howe-Douglas once said, “Great TV is built by unsung heroes.” And heroes like Kevin? We’ll keep remembering them, one glowing set at a time.
