SILENT Witness creator Nigel McCrery left just £10,000 in his will, documents show.
The BBC stalwart, also behind fellow BBC crime show New Tricks, died in February, aged 71, having been diagnosed with cancer last year.
Legal papers, dated August 10 2024, show the screenwriter and novelist left 25% of his estate to each of his children, Emily and Rebecca, 20% to his partner Abigail Cobley and 5% to his ex-wife Gillian Copson.
The Grant of Probate reads: “The application has stated that the gross value of the estate in the United Kingdom amounts to £10,000.
“And the net value amounts to £10,000.”
McCrery married Copson in 1976 but they divorced in 2005.
He served as a police officer with the murder squad in Nottingham before he began his TV career.
After leaving the force he joined the BBC on a graduate entry scheme in 1990.
He used his background in policing to create Backup, a drama about a police operational support unit, and which ran between 1995 and 1997.
He then went on to create the drama Silent Witness in 1996.
It followed forensic pathologists and scientists investigating crimes and trying to catch the people responsible.
Initially starring Amanda Burton and then Emilia Fox, it became one of the BBC’s most enduring dramas.
Season 29 will be airing in early 2026.
McCrery also co-created New Tricks in 2005 with Roy Mitchell.
The show, which focused on three retired police officers who were drafted in to help solve cold cases and became a starring vehicle for Dennis Waterman, ran for 10 years.
He also wrote several novels as well as a number of non-fiction books.
At the time of his death, a United Agents spokesperson said: “As the creative mind behind such hits as the much loved long running BBC drama series Silent Witness and New Tricks, Nigel captivated and inspired audiences for years with his work.
“His numerous contributions to the arts will always be remembered. Nigel had an incredible career and will be greatly missed.”
