a b c "Fred Dibnah", The Times, London, 8 November 2004, archived from the original on 4 June 2011 , retrieved 18 October 2009 And so it proved. Haworth's documentary about Dibnah won two awards and led to a host of other programmes over the next 25 years. The following year, he met Sue, 20 years his junior, whom he met at a steam-engine rally. They married in 1987, only to divorce in 1996. In 1998, Fred Dibnah married his third wife, Sheila. No one quite like Fred...", Bolton Evening News, 8 November 2004, archived from the original on 18 July 2006 , retrieved 19 October 2009– via Famous Boltonians Chaudhari, Saiqa (23 March 2016), "Life and times of Fred Dibnah celebrated by folk band The Lancashire Hotpots", The Bolton News , retrieved 17 March 2019

But, unable to find a buyer, Mr Powsney remained there until 2018 when he decided to close the centre and sell off Fred's machinery.

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Dibnah was the Castaway on Desert Island Discs on 1 December 1991. [96] Death [ edit ] Dibnah's coffin being drawn along the streets of Bolton Fred Dibnah's grave in Tonge Cemetery

a b "Fred's steam monster barred for his big day", Manchester Evening News, 8 July 2004 , retrieved 30 October 2009 One day in October 1985, Dibnah attended a solid fuel exhibition in nearby Bury. Upon his return he discovered that Alison had left the house, taking with her their three children, the dog and some items of furniture. [61] Short of money, he was forced to sell his antique AJS motorcycle. [60] He found life without his family difficult but defended his wife: "There is no doubt whatsoever, she were a good help to me and I'm going to miss her. It was just that all the pressure got too much for her." [62] Second marriage [ edit ] Dibnah in 1981 Eleven days later, thousands of mourners watched as Dibnah's coffin (on top of which his trademark flat cap was placed) was towed through the centre of Bolton by his restored traction engine, driven by his son. A cortège of steam-powered vehicles followed, as the procession made its way to Bolton Parish Church. During the hour-long service, David Hall told the congregation "He wasn't a posh TV presenter. He was recognised as a working man who had learned through experience." [99] Following the service, led by the Vicar of Bolton, Canon Michael Williams (a friend of Dibnah), he was buried at Tonge Cemetery, behind his home. [100] Honorary Graduates July 2004" (PDF), Buzz, The University of Birmingham, vol.3, no.47, p.2, July 2004, archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2007 , retrieved 19 October 2009 Sometimes he'll have busted his thumb because he's hit it with a hammer; you couldn't really expect him then to come in and start doing things in the house. I just don't think it's fair though, I think you've got to strike a balance and I think ours is about 90/10. Me for 90 per cent of the housework and Fred for 10." [68]Anon (2013) Fred Dibnah’s Steam Roller, Betsy. The Bolton News. [Online] Available at: < https://images.app.goo.gl/JojzvZmfmwHwFyHCA> [Accessed 28 th April 2021]. Bunyan, Nigel (17 November 2004), "Steam-powered funeral for Fred Dibnah", The Telegraph, London , retrieved 28 October 2009 Television Nominations 1979", Past Winners and Nominees, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, 1979, archived from the original on 15 January 2009 , retrieved 19 October 2009

Through his television work Dibnah became famous for felling chimneys (by the time of his death he had felled 90), although it was one of his least favourite jobs. [58] As he made more films with Don Haworth, his outspoken views on changing society, work ethics and delinquency, made him the embodiment of the views of many of his fans and epitomised the view of a northern working man. [102] Dibnah was praised by many notable British people. After reporting on his death, television presenter Peter Sissons remarked: "They don't make them like that any more". Comedian Peter Kay said: "It's very sad news. He was one of a kind and now he has gone I think there will be no one else like him. He was enthusiastic about a way of life that has virtually disappeared now." Brian Tetlow, chairman of the Bolton and District Civic Trust, said: "He's unique, not just to Bolton but to Britain and the world. Our thoughts are with his wife and children." [103] FRED DIBNAH has always been a man out of his own time. Growing up a youth in the 1940s in Bolton, Lancashire, he lived near the railway lines and there began a lifelong fascination with steam locomotives.Graduation Summer 2000", RGU News Article, Robert Gordon University, 3 August 2000, archived from the original on 27 September 2007 , retrieved 20 October 2009 a b Carney, Neil (2005), "On the buses' to 'up the ladders", in Langston, Keith (ed.), Fred Dibnah MBE Remembered: The life & times of a Great Briton 1938–2004, Mortons Media Group, ISBN 978-0-9542442-6-2

First marriage [ edit ] Dibnah's home, 121 Radcliffe Road, a former Victorian gatehouse in Bolton. Now the (closed) Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre I was slightly nervous shaking hands with the Queen. She asked me if I was still climbing chimneys. It beats me how she keeps tabs on everybody. I never thought I would be receiving an MBE.

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Steam engines were his great passion, so much so that they put paid to his first marriage. His wife, Alison, left him in 1985, taking their three daughters with her and complaining: "He is married to his engines." A play titled The Demolition Man, based on his final years, was staged in 2011 at Bolton's Octagon Theatre. [107] Dibnah died on 6November 2004, after suffering from cancer for three years. [97] He was 66 years old. [41] [98] Anon (2016) The Day Fred Dibnah Brought Down the Ballyclare Paper Mill Chimney. [Online] Available at: www.loveballyclare.com>history>the-day-fred [Accessed 28 th April 2021].