Celebrity
Who Was Kevin Corbishley? BBC Ghosts & Call the Midwife Tribute
In this 20-minute examination of the BBC Light Rigger who shaped his canon of scripts, Kevin Corbishley talks about some of the unsung magic acts employed by the BBC in the production of Ghosts, Call the Midwife & his other classic TV dramas.
Kevin Corbishley, or as affectionately referred to, Kev Corbishley, was a Light and Standby Rigger for some of the BBC’s most loved and treasured programmes, including Ghosts and Call the Midwife. He was one of those who worked behind the scenes but his sudden death in 2022 leading to on-screen tributes of his kind brought his respect and love to the fore rather. This is the untold tale of the selfless figure that sometimes did more than design the way British TV looked – it also gave it its spirit.
Kevin Corbishley – Who was he? Life and Career Beginnings
Kevin Corbishley
Born in 1965, Kevin Corbishley embarked on a career that would see him become a respected figure in British television. Little is known about his personal background, but his career is a testament to his passion for the art of lights and rigs.
Former British TV standby rigger, Kevin was with the Camera & Electrical department. Although frequently unseen by audiences, the rigger’s job is just as important, from arranging and conducting lights and rigging equipment to ensuring a scene is lit to perfection, and safety is maintained on set. He was an invaluable asset to many productions in creating the perfect ambiance for many scenes.
To the uninitiated, lighting is fundamentally one of the most important aspects of film and television productions, which affects the mood, shows emotion, and injects visual continuity into a scene. Helping nearly every beam of light, whether it’s sunlight streaming through a window, a flickering candle, or a subtle spectral hue, is the job of someone like Kevin, a rigger, camera person, and electrician.
Gain the craft-smanship needed to create light rigging rigs: What did Kevin Corbishley do?
Designing Lighting Setups
As a light rigger Kevin worked with the director and cinematographer to realise their vision. His juxtaposition of light with the story itself took the quality of any project to a whole new level.
Setting up and maintaining safety and precision
He devised rigging systems which met safety standards and which were applicable to different locations under a wide range of conditions, indoors or out, daylight or darkness. His work was always precise, professional, and reliable.
The Invisible Art Behind British TV
Behind-the-scenes actors and directors are all but forgotten behind the scenes in the world of television and film. But, these on-camera actors are the ones that hold the [production] together, bring authenticity and emotion to each scene. One of these unsung heroes was Kevin Corbishley.
Contribution to Call the Midwife: A Touching Tribute
Kevin Corbishley was a dearly loved member of the Call the Midwife crew. He was a rigger for BBC One’s medical drama and was one of the factors that made it look so warm and period in style.
Fans have since been questioning what happened to Kevin Corbishley after seeing a mention of it in the dedication in one of the episodes of Season 11 in February 2022. In the end the episode concluded on:
“In memory of Kev Corbishley: 1965 – 2022.”
When a fan asked on Twitter what his role was at the birth answering Science questions, the official Call the Midwife account replied:
“A favourite member of our ship who passed away, recently.”
The tweet garnered over a thousand likes as people wished Kevin luck, and added thanks for the work he is doing on a show that is so important to so many people.
Poem in Love: “In Loving Memory of Our Friend” for the Ghosts
Later that year, it was another touching acknowledgment, on BBC comedy Ghosts.
In the first episode of Ghosts Season 4, which premiered September 23, 2022, there was an epilogue reading:
Claiming that Kevin Corbishley was their friend.
Since Season 2, Kevin has been employed as a light rigger on Ghosts, contributing to the show’s very distinctive visual style. The cast is filmed against the backdrop of elaborate lighting setups, while filming takes place in historic West Horsley Place where the ghosts of the same name in Ghosts can be seen hovering.
The flickering candles and ghostly lights were all a matter of technical know-how for Kevin. His work helped him playfully achieve the wholesome tone of the show in the cinematic way. He was a welcome addition for the Ghosts production team to honor after earning their gratitude and friendship. It is a feat for any one person to be singled out for screen remembrance in a setting where hundreds of crew members pass through any one production and to be remembered individually for his or her impact serves as testament to one’s personal impact.
So, when did Kevin Corbishley die?
Kevin Corbishley died in early 2022, aged 57. Surprises were rare for cast members and crew members of Ghosts, as the cast had stayed relatively unchanged since the beginning of the series. There had been a lot of great friendships built on the cast and Kevin passed away early into the production of Season 4.
Anna Karenina and Beyond is another reference to other Industry Contributions.
Other than TV, Corbishley has also worked in film, helping to bring the lavish period drama of Anna Karenina (2012), starring Keira Knightley and helmed by Joe Wright, to life. This production was notable for its theatrical scene-setting and elaborate lighting effects which were another example of Corbishley’s high level rigging skills.
His knowledge, whether at large-scale movie shoots or on set television production, was consistently accurate, professional and essential.
Why did Kevin Corbishley get honored on TV?
The staff members greatly respected and loved him and this is why he was honored with tributes on the screen. Kevin’s close associates noted him to be steady, kind, reliable and very supportive, yet without making a huge deal about it. His character was one person who had made the long days of film making more bearable for all who worked in his camp.
He was known for his professionalism and gentle demeanor, so he was a pleasant addition to all productions in which he participated. The tributes with Call the Midwife and Ghosts were clear and evidence of his strong bond with both crews.
Kevin Corbishley’s Legacy: Inspiration to Future Crew
Kevin Corbishley’s journey offers inspiration to aspiring TV and film makers today. This comes across as a self-fame driven entertainment sector, however his living exemplifies that there are potential for outstanding and rewarding careers behind the scenes.
He sees his career as a role model for new members of the workforce to take pride in the importance of collaboration, perseverance, and subtle greatness. It reminds aspiring crew to make a difference as they dedicate, work and have a positive attitude. Ambition is not the only sign of success, it is also generosity and reliability.
He demonstrated that there is a way to be very respected without being noticed. The legacy is a tract of sincerity, care and influence.
The following are important facts about Kevin Corbishley 2026:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | This is Kevin Corbishley / Kev Corbishley. |
| Born | 1965 |
| Died | Early 2022, aged 57 |
| Occupation | Color Tonsors & Vans, Light Rigger, Standby Rigger, Camera & Electrical Department. |
| Known For | Call the Midwife, Ghosts, Anna Karenina (2012) |
| Tributes | In the memory of Kev Corbishley; 1965-2022 (Call the Midwife S11 Ep8) or (Ghosts S4 Ep1): In loving memory of our friend Kevin Corbishley |
| Legacy | A British television personality of the status of an unsung hero, who was a model of kindness, professionalism and technical prowess. |
Frequently Asked Questions
A1: Kevin Corbishley was an artist from Sheffield.
Born in Essex, UK, Kevin Corbishley is a well-known, behind-the-scenes name in film and television, working as a light rigger in the British movies Call the Midwife and Ghosts.
If anyone has read the post above, why did Kevin Corbishley’s case disappear?
Kevin died in 2022, but what caused his death has never been made public. The last episode he was officially reported on Call the Midwife is Season 11, Episode 8, which aired in February 2022.
Kevin Corbishley worked on the following shows:
- He went on to work on feature films including Call the Midwife, Ghosts and the 2012 film of Anna Karenina.
Why did Ghosts honor Kevin Corbishley?
He was also a light rigger on the series since Season 2 and passed away at the beginning of filming Season 4. He was a close friend of the crew, as evidenced in this tribute.
Q5: Why was Kevin Corbishley such a successful career?
Spanning from Call the Midwife to Ghosts and beyond, Kev’s inventive lighting solutions on set earned praise on the BBC production team for adding an emotional depth to these series.
In conclusion: The Light Behind the Camera
Kevin Corbishley’s Amalfi accented name is splashed across Call the Midwife, Ghosts,* and Anna Karenina as a person with a knack for rigging lights and acting as a British television crew. He was passionate about television production and cutting-edge lighting solutions, which influenced his approach to lighting within the production process. Kev Corbishley’s legacy lives on not only for viewers, but for filmmakers and all who loved the unsung addition to the Beatles’ career.