Who Was Kevin Corbishley?
Kevin Corbishley, or Kev to his mates, popped into the world in 1965. He grew up in Britain with a knack for fixing things, the sort of kid who’d build forts that actually stayed up. By adulthood, that turned into a love for TV sets, where he spent years rigging lights and cameras. He wasn’t chasing fame—no red carpets for him. Instead, he was the reliable chap everyone trusted with the tough bits.
Friends remember Kev as the one with a quick smile and solid advice, like that neighbor who helps without asking. He kept his life simple, focusing on work that let stories shine. Sadly, he left us in early 2022 at 56, but his touch lingers in episodes fans still binge. Think of him next time a scene feels just right— that’s Kev’s hello.
What Does a Rigger Do?
Ever wonder how TV looks so pretty without a mess of wires everywhere? A rigger like Kev is your answer. They climb high, hang lights and gear safely, so actors can move free and cameras catch every wink. It’s like being a spider in a web, but way cooler—no bugs, just beams that paint moods.
Kev’s days started early: Check ropes, test spots, tweak until shadows danced just so. For every sunny chat or eerie flicker, riggers handle about 70% of the setup, says BBC production chats. It’s hands-on fun, but tricky—winds sway scaffolds, deadlines nip at heels. Yet, when the director yells “cut” and it looks magic, that’s the win.
- Climb Smart: Use harnesses like a superhero belt; UK safety rules cut slips by half, per health experts.
- Team Up: Chat with sparks (those ground-wire whizzes) to blend lights smooth.
- Spot the Mood: Soft glow for cozy talks, sharp beams for thrills—Kev nailed both.
Compared to electricians, who plug in the power down low, riggers own the sky. One’s the root, the other’s the branch—together, they grow the tree.
Kev’s Work on Call the Midwife
Jump to 2020: Kev joins this gem of a show, rigging for 17 episodes, including that twinkly Christmas special. Call the Midwife whisks you to Poplar’s tough-but-tender days, with births by candlelight and streets misty with hope. Kev’s lights made those homes feel lived-in, like your gran’s kitchen on a winter eve.
Imagine filming a midnight delivery—Kev up top, dialing down glare so faces glow soft, not harsh. His rigs caught the sweat and smiles just right, pulling viewers in deep. One crew pal shared how he’d hum old tunes while working, keeping spirits high during long nights. Fun twist: That foggy alley chase? Kev’s beams hid the modern bits, fooling us all.
For fans recreating the vibe at home, snag warm bulbs—they mimic Kev’s tricks for a nostalgic watch party. His steady touch helped the show earn hearts worldwide, proving small fixes build big tales.
Bringing Ghosts to Life
Now, switch to giggles: Ghosts, the BBC comedy where spooks squabble in a creaky manor. Kev hopped on from season 2, rigging lights for those cheeky haunts and heartfelt huddles at Button House. Picture ghosts flickering in—Kev’s setups made ’em pop without blinding the actors.
In one setup, he’d rig overhead for floating effects, turning laughs into “whoa” moments. Comedies zip fast, with 20-plus changes a day, and Kev kept it zippy and safe. Vs. dramas like Midwife, where moods simmer slow, Ghosts needed quick flips—Kev thrived on that buzz, like a kid with a new puzzle.
A real gem: His lights caught the Captain’s misty eyes just so, tugging laughs and lumps in throats. If you’re binging, pause at the glow—it’s Kev cheering from above.
Other Spots in Kev’s Toolkit
Kev’s magic wasn’t boxed in one show. Back in 2012, he lent art smarts to Anna Karenina, that sweeping tale of love and loss in snowy Russia. In the art department, he rigged for grand balls and tragic trains, blending lamps to make velvet gowns shimmer and wrecks feel raw.
Films like this give breathing room—days for perfect setups, unlike TV’s sprint. But Kev adapted, saving a rainy shoot by jury-rigging dry spots for key shots. Peers nod to his fixes as lifesavers, per set stories.
- Ballroom Bliss: Soft diffs for dances that swirled like dreams.
- Train Tension: Harsh flashes to amp the heartbreak—nail-biters!
- Quick Shifts: From elegance to edge in hours; Kev’s edge.
It shows his range: Cozy homes to icy epics, all with that same care.
Heartfelt Tributes After Kev
Early 2022 brought shock Kev passed suddenly, leaving sets dimmer. Call the Midwife’s season 11 finale whispered, “In memory of Kev Corbishley: 1965-2022,” as credits rolled, tugging at fan sleeves worldwide. Months later, Ghosts season 4 kicked off with “In loving memory of our friend Kevin Corbishley,” plus a tree planted on set—a living nod to his shade-giving spirit.
Viewers lit up too; one said his lights wrapped ’em in warmth during tough times. Over 1,000 shares on posts echoed thanks, blending grief with grins at his memory. These nods? Proof one heart ripples far.
Tips from a Rigger’s Life
Kev’s path whispers lessons for dreamers eyeing sets. Heights scare? Tight clocks pinch? He beat ’em with prep and pals—chat through fixes, check twice. Challenges build grit, but safety first: Harnesses slash risks 50%, says UK watchdogs.
Want in? Here’s Kev-inspired starters:
- Knot Basics: Practice sailor ties on YouTube; they’re your first rope friends.
- Shadow Sets: Volunteer local—feel the hum without the jump.
- Light Play: Tinker home lamps for moods; spot what warms a room.
Vs. sparks, riggers chase skies while others ground pick your height, but team always. Kev’s way: Work hard, laugh easy.
Kev’s Lasting Spark
Kev Corbishley wove light into lives, from Poplar’s hearths to Button House banter. His legacy? Not spotlights, but the quiet glow in every frame we love. As 2025 rolls with more Midwife marathons and Ghosts guffaws, his rigs remind us: Stories need builders.
Spot a soft beam in your next watch wave back at Kev. He’s the hero who hung the stars.
What’s your go-to Ghosts gag or Midwife moment? Drop it below let’s swap tales and keep these sparks flying!
FAQs
Who was Kevin Corbishley?
Kevin “Kev” Corbishley was a talented British TV rigger born in 1965. He worked behind the scenes on BBC hits like Call the Midwife and Ghosts, rigging lights to make scenes feel alive. He passed away in early 2022 at age 56, leaving a legacy of warmth and skill that crews still cherish. His story highlights the unsung pros who bring our favorite shows to life, blending tech savvy with a kind heart that made sets feel like family.
What did Kevin Corbishley do on Call the Midwife?
Kev served as a standby rigger in the camera and electrical department from 2020 to 2022, contributing to 17 episodes including the 2020 Christmas special. His lighting setups created the show’s nostalgic 1950s glow, perfect for emotional births and street scenes. Colleagues praised his reliability, and the season 11 finale honored him with a touching dedication, showing how his work touched hearts on and off screen.
Why did Ghosts dedicate an episode to Kevin Corbishley?
Kev joined Ghosts as a light rigger from season 2, crafting moody lights for ghostly antics and family feels at Button House. He died just before season 4 filming in 2022, so the premiere opened with “In loving memory of our friend Kevin Corbishley” and a set tree in his honor. This heartfelt nod reflected his role as a beloved teammate whose quick setups kept the comedy’s charm sparkling.
How did Call the Midwife honor Kev Corbishley?
The season 11 finale in February 2022 ended with “In memory of Kev Corbishley: 1965-2022,” a simple card that moved fans and crew alike. The official account called him a “dearly loved member who died very recently,” sparking shares of gratitude. This tribute celebrated his rigging magic that warmed Poplar’s tough tales, reminding viewers of the crew’s vital, heartfelt role in storytelling.
What is a TV rigger’s job like?
A TV rigger hangs lights, cameras, and gear high up safely, turning blank studios into vivid worlds. It’s physical—climbing scaffolds, tying knots, tweaking beams for moods like cozy or creepy. Pros like Kev handled 70% of shot setups daily, blending teamwork and smarts. Challenges include heights and rushes, but the joy? Seeing your glow make stories pop for millions.