1982: FRED DIBNAH shows HOW to erect a CHIMNEY SCAFFOLD at 200 feet! | Fred | 1980s | BBC Archive

[@WinterRapids]

What really fascinates me is that this is 1982. On one hand you got "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Terminator" showing at the cinema down the street, at the same time you got men like Fred Dibnah single handedly taking down a factory chimney with a hammer and absolutely no safety gear.

[@Tmuk2]

And an assistant wearing flared trousers!

[@5eurocups2005]

I know exactly what you mean but those two were released at the cinema in 1984. E.T & Poltergeist would apply though 😁

[@lison766]

While smoking his pipe…

[@HALFSQUASHED]

Blade Runner!

[@sammuslu2992]

Why didn't they just blow it up?

[@Anthony-h1n]

I'm an advanced scaffolder, and love my job, but Jesus fred is a true legend not just balls, brains and knowledge, a true one off

[@indiana146]

I spoke to him in a book shop in bolton in early 80.s. I asked him fred why a steeple jack he said i like the view from top He said every chimney is different they have their own character. I said to him your saving history with yiur shows I.said you were born in the wrong century We shook hands Great man

[@m2db772]

Hey im from bolton . I live 5 minutes from freds house . Just wondering where abouts in bolton was the book shop ? ​@@indiana146

[@borntoclimb7116]

@@indiana146 but he destroyed History, all the chimneys taken down but the place is used for new buildings thats good.

[@PunkDogCreations]

Please refrain from using Jesus's holy name as a profanity. Please remove it and repent. ❤

[@jamesdeluca6657]

Strong to

[@OlafProt]

His documentaries were brilliant back in the day, I would’ve been 10 when this came out in 1982. I met him at a steam rally in Devon in the 90s. He was stone deaf by then but he signed a photo - his handwriting was extraordinary. A font all of its own all curled letters and italics. A man who was the product of a lost age.

[@v8will]

His handwriting was certainly beautiful. Met him in similar circumstances

[@AtheistOrphan]

That was known as ‘Copperplate’ writing, my old dad wrote the same way. A largely lost art now.

[@RonD84]

He wasn't stone deaf I met him in 2003 and he was fine

[@OlafProt]

@@RonD84 ah ok I was just going on what his wife/partner told us all when we were queuing to meet him.

[@RonD84]

@@OlafProt probably just pretends to be death at home mate , Different scenario when he's out at work or in the boozer 😂

[@wasdaletimelapse7658]

That makes my toes curl just watching. Fred dropped the chimney at the factory where I worked when I left school and one day I jokingly asked Fred if I could climb up the ladders to the top of the chimney. Expecting him to say bugger off you young sod, he just said help yourself. Needless to say I didn’t climb. He was a star chap, so brave and very likeable.

[@geoffjoffy]

He was hard working and brave. I can't get my head round how he did that scaffold - even though he showed us. It is an exceptional feat. He was an incredible man.

[@Zaraaofficial]

[@thomasturner2390]

Ye me too 😂😂

[@rationalsatanist1811]

there is a very thin line between bravery and stupidity

[@mattwilliams3504]

Primitive does not mean stupid.

[@borntoclimb7116]

@@mattwilliams3504 but is mean more deaths at Work, Lot of countries outsite of Europe stil have this conditions and there are lots of accidents.

[@rolanddunk5054]

One of the most amazing men I have ever seen,builder,engineer,artist and a raconteur.Definitely one of a kind.

[@jamieosh70]

Fred is a testimony to the many many men that did jobs like this that made the world we live in. It’s wonderful to have such records.

[@franktechmaniac7488]

At least as a proof of the self exploitation that Lady Thatcher used to name freedom. Which, retrospectively regarded, led to Brexit and the current situation in the UK.

[@maxtroy]

What are you talking about? Those men were monsters who when they weren't busy destroying their bodies to provide for infrastructure and money for their wives and children, were simultaneously oppressing and abusing women!

[@Coneman3]

And they did it while also oppressing women. Quite remarkable 😂

[@MokuTom]

@@Coneman3fckin hell dude.. be a bit less obvious with the bait would ya, ahaha

[@Coneman3]

@@MokuTomI was being sarcastic

[@tommurphy4094]

If they put these programmes back on tv, the BBC might be worth watching.

[@Shanghai_Knife_Dude]

Modern kids will then try this at home, then BBC get sued.

[@richardscally694]

Well said 100%

[@keithdukes5990]

100%👍

[@ronnie1202]

👍

[@robertgunter7230]

Fred had real wings

[@anthony-ju6qo]

Just discovered this and completely in awe. Here I am on my couch watching this and Im freaking out. How on earth this Man does what he does is beyond me. I think of myself as a no nonsense type and not afraid of anything, until now. I give huge respect to anyone who does this for a living. I couldn't do this any amount of money. Blessings to all from across the pond. 🇺🇸

[@ivansime9127]

God bless Fred is considered a niche hero here in Yorkshire glad he’s getting more recognition I’m 22 and work in construction and he’s a legend

[@eelponna3145]

It makes me sad seeing this knowing all the old’uns have passed. Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s you’d see people like Fred on a daily basis. They didn’t have much but they were content and took pride in their jobs, houses, gardens, cars etc. Simple but innocent times. I would go back in a heartbeat.

[@andydixon2980]

Salt of the earth, best of British people.

[@craiggibson7123]

He should have been a millionaire for that sort of work

[@johnmcdonnell5175]

I totally agree, I’d much rather have the lower wages of those days along with the much lower prices and cost of living. Money seemed to go much further back then

[@johnmg88]

​@@johnmcdonnell5175people literally rationed phonecalls, only the better off actually had one still, heating was only the main room and some folks had pay per view timers on their tv. I'll stay where i am thanks, ive lived through ice inside the widows and only three people in the street owning a car.

[@nicholasturner4552]

Everything about the 80s were better people alot happier than today

[@bennwoodbridge2117]

I can not believe that one man and some ropes can actually build a scaffolding platform to work from at that height!!! It’s truly remarkable what a human being is capable of

[@CooChewGames]

Fair play to the person with the camera who managed to get an 80s TV camera up there and take those shots in a heavy wind...

[@mark314158]

16mm film camera.

[@alexgrundy3765]

and before shouting 'action' he told Fred we're doing this in one take - ok

[@breadtoasted2269]

Nah he carried them up using drones

[@joerosen5464]

​@@breadtoasted2269Flying on the wings of Angels, just for Fred.😉

[@peteralexander2941]

The cameraman was apparently shitting himself while up there. 😂

[@kevinmaughan4290]

he's the type of bloke that no matter what trade he would have learned he would have been brilliant at it, He's very positive aswell.

[@tombowen6430]

Fred - an engineering genius with huge strength, stamina and balls of steel. A brilliant product of a bygone age.

[@Wooargh]

Thankfully we now have Government controlled Health and Safety with laws to prevent idiots from doing things like this. If there's one thing Covid showed us it's that rules can never be too extreme when it comes to Health and Safety.

[@heyitsmetrousers4399]

@@Wooarghjog on you wet fart

[@joeswarson4580]

​@@Wooarghfound the kool-aid drinker

[@phreak761]

​@@WooarghBollocks 🤡🤡🤡

[@alexanderjames6328]

@@joeswarson4580 I agree... he (it) seems the anti-British type, a woke who hates British history. I have left him (it) a nice comment below, haha.

[@VICTOBERN]

A truly remarkable man. Every time l look at these recordings l simply marvel at Fred's skill, attitude, obvious dedication to his craft and his sheer stamina. I don't think one can really appreciate just how unique he was. The recordings at least endorse what might easily sound like a fairy tale.

[@joecarson3379]

Whoever at the BBC thought , lets make a series out of this man, was the real genuis.

[@SagaciousFrank]

Before the BBC was totally hijacked by left wing liberal elites.

[@alexanderjames6328]

Agreed!

[@bertiescunsbutch9323]

Unfortunately the BBC is only interested in soy boys these days.

[@BalrajTakhar-u7u]

Something they would never do today. Too busy chasing the ratings, scraping the bottom of the barrel with reality, so called talent shows, endless cookery programmes and woke dramas.

[@alexwright6038]

He just seemed to have a knack of communicating and seem to be relatable.

[@richardswift6008]

There will never be another Fred Dibnah that’s for sure !… what a legend

[@jackduxbury1632]

There will never be another like Mr Dibnah. 🫡

[@paulfrost8952]

So true. They don’t make ‘em like they used to.

[@joemuir2575]

What a man

[@stephendavies925]

When I was a lad working on construction sites most of the men were like Fred loved the work they carried out, they were hard working people with a great positive attitude

[@seanpittaway5341]

There was many just like dibnah back then and still some around today but they are few and far between now. I am not like dibnah but wish I was

[@liamgross7217]

Being Australian I hadn’t heard of this bloke until a year ago. What a champion, I can see why he’s a well loved fella.

[@elmondo3543]

The term legend is used far too loosely these days....but Fred was an absolute legend of a Boltonian national treasure! R.I.P. great man!

[@jbrown7403]

Cheers from Texas. You know, I’ve watched several “Fred” videos and I still can’t wrap my brain around taking down a chimney brick by brick. Absolutely crazy. What a courageous man and legend! 👍🍻

[@mikep9945]

Proper fearless bloke who also has the knowledge of a genius....... one of the greatest Englishmen that ever lived

[@alexgrundy3765]

A lot of people say he's fearless, i don't think so. If he was fearless he'd probably be reckless, but when you watch him, everything is lashed together properly, attached to the chimney as well. I think rather than fearless he was well averse to the situation he was in and also fully aware of his own skills and limitations. Oh and brave. I watched that video sat on the floor to feel extra safe.

[@chimpana]

Professionally he was superb no doubt. On a personal level, he was a troubled guy, and it being a different time isn't enough to explain it away. Complicated as most people are.

[@vtrmcs]

@@chimpana A lot of super smart people have troubled personal lives, it sort of goes with the territory it seems. He was highly intelligent and I can quite imagine he had some kind of undiagnosed psychiatric condition, because many, many people did back then.

[@Braveheart-1300]

What a brave man. He didn't have any fear of heights. To watch him crawl on those boards 200ft up without any safety gear is box office stuff. He knew more than people gave him credit for. A true working class hero. Thanks for the memories Fred. Bill

[@swaneknoctic9555]

Been watching documentaries about Fred for years. Never fails to amaze me how he had the nerve (or lack of it) to do such things.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

b vitamins from nutritional yeast and marlboro cigarettes😁

[@civlyzed]

I"m surprised the chimney could support the enormous weight of his balls.

[@elmondo3543]

Cheese butties and Guinness powered this legend!

[@alibobsmarland9572]

When men were men. The good old days..

[@fidelcatsro6948]

@@alibobsmarland9572 agreed! todays men are more like cats..

[@sfcarp9418]

Fred Dibnah is / was an everyday mans hero !! She showed every man that you didn't have to be a university graduate or athlete / muscular build to achieve great things in life ! His everyday work was a display of old wold skill / determination and simple pure grit that most men used to posess ! He had a wicked sense of humour and could hold a beer and tell amazing stories !! He is the type of guy most of us older tradesman in the building industry used to know at least one of . I admired this man from the other side of the world and watched as many videos on him and his work as possible . I will always be in awe of his amazing skills and consider him to be my hero . RIP Fred ..... 🙏

[@vitoandolini8729]

Ich kann auch ein Bier in der Hand halten 🍺😅

[@jenswinterberg9105]

Ich auch nicht!🤫​@@vitoandolini8729

[@HektorBandimar]

The palms of my hands are sweating as I watch this video, Fred was absolutely fearless, he must have had tremendous self belief and confidence. He was a truly extraordinary man.

[@xlillo6175]

Mad Respect! Having worked on a ladder preforming sign installations at 35' has provided me with an understanding of how difficult this looks and that it's even far more so in reality. The strain on your back having to level those long boards, working at such a height with the constant wind loads and sun glaring in your eyes is daunting. I doubt there are many Millennials capable of such work today. This guy should be recognized for the tremendous efforts he endured to likely earn a meager pay to support his family.

[@richardkell4888]

Yes and never paid enough I reckon.

[@schweineful]

I guess, there where never many people able to to this work. So, what the crap about „Millennials“?

[@illfingaz210]

@@schweinefulwhy ask?!? You know Exactly what’s being said… I work at height… I’ll take you up there until your sweat overtakes your hydration!!! Hahaha Yeah! You millennials are jokes

[@RonD84]

Fred was one of Britains finest men, A man who could talk all day and never bore you, Brave and as strong as they come, If your ever lost for something to watch just sit and watch all the episodes of his show on here, From his marriage breakup and how he recovered to carry on steeplejacking

[@xxMarc21xx]

Fred was a superstar, but was still down to earth. He was world class at what he did. He is very much missed, will never be another person like him. He was way ahead of his time & a true genius in his trade. Love to his family ❤️😻❤️

[@weejim48]

We used to love watching Fred on the telly. He climbed up that ladder like he was going for a walk in the park. Very brave man. LEGEND.👍👍👍

[@davidwallace6031]

Nice to look back and see how we were once proud of our country and workforce

[@johntowers1213]

Fred's a beast and utterly fearless thats just a given, but can we take a minute to appreciate the balls on the cameraman that hauled a big assed 80's film camera up there and took the footage of fred lobbing those boards around at the end...

[@kevinmaughan4290]

there should be a documentary about the building of these chimneys, the history , the planning , the workmanship, I could watch freds videos over and over again

[@brianwillson9567]

Respect. Fred was worth a whole House of Commons of mp.s plus all the lords.

[@DiggittyDave]

One of the most impressive things in this video is Fred's ability to draw a perfectly straight line free hand. Many artists can't do that.

[@grahamblack1716]

He started out as a draughtsmen if I remember rightly and then done joinery. Some of his drawings are superb

[@dirkhalo]

True that! And even while he is hammering day in day out its incredible!

[@nelus7276]

Take your wrist of the paper, don't look at where you're drawing, just where you want to go. Done. Ffs, it's an easy trick. Same with straight cutting, knife or scissors.

[@rafiqkatana]

It's a real tragedy that his legacy has pretty much been wiped from existence. His steam engines and museum, all sold off. Gone. These videos the only things that show what an amazing guy he was. It's quite sad.

[@SagaciousFrank]

How and why were they sold off, by who?

[@antonylonsdale5156]

I'm currently 300 metres away from his house that still got alot of stuff from his days.

[@SagaciousFrank]

@@antonylonsdale5156 , tsk say yards and make Fred proud, men of his generation were raised on God's measurements, not the bastardised continental system which the EU forced us to adopt.

[@RicArmstrong]

​@@SagaciousFrank Well said!

[@quinnpaddock4241]

Shame that - they should open a museum of his life and and show the stuff that he did and created and show the old stuff........

[@themtube9455]

Deep respect for any man doing any job that makes our world.

[@indiosveritas]

I have lost count of how many times I've watched this wonderful series. When I have a concern , I can not sleep or have a problem to solve, Dibnah is a great solace.

[@bhgtree]

The late Mr Dibnah, was truly a superman, to see him working at such heights and his commentary makes it seem so normal. Thanks to BBC and all who uploaded these amazing videos of him at work.

[@nicholasturner4552]

Can't believe Fred has been gone 20 years next year really enjoyed everything he done a working class hard working man

[@ShokaLion]

This chimney is still in use. It's at Raikes Lane in Bolton, part of the waste incineration plant there.

[@doctorsocrates4413]

What an incredible man he was...fearless with a heart of a lion...RIP fred.

[@bobcougar77]

Aside from everything else I'm awestruck at the sheer competence of the man. Just the act of threading those steel poles into position is a feat of planning, strength, agility, willpower and a bunch of other words. I've worked with my hands my whole life. That would be difficult to do just standing on the ground with a firm base. I've even lost a sheet of plywood walking to my truck when a gust of unexpected wind stole it from me. This man lived a whole career one tiny mistake away from splat.

[@chuckabutty888]

A fatality occured in Bolton 2007 when scafolding gave way when being dismantled. Firm got done for not using strong enough anchor fittings and failing to test those fittings. The man who fell was not wearing his safety harness. A second worker survived by clinging to a ladder. To hear Fred say he preferred the old way of working was testiment to his skills and the fact he never wore a safety harness always churns my stomach when I watch these clips, even though I know he never fell.

[@robm6267]

This video is amazing, Fred was one of the last men of a dying industry and was great at what he did. They don't make blokes like Fred anymore RIP

[@chrisrobson5101]

This guy is made of different material, I’m a scaffolder myself and I thought I’ve been in some dodgy situations but then I look at a guy like Fred and in comparison I feel like a child 🤣😂 What a bloke 💪😎

[@rich8037]

That's extraordinary. He is basically kept alive by his incredibly disciplined mind, if you think about it - there is just no room for thoughtlessness 200ft above the ground on a wooden scaffold. Credit also to the camera operator who evidently went up there and took some of that footage. I imagine the camera itself was hoisted by Fred and his team, and TV cameras in the 1980s weren't just an iPhone or even a DSLR!

[@bazza5699]

no matter how many times I've seen this, I still watch open mouthed in awe and with respect..

[@JonnyMack33]

I don't think people realise just how much hard work that took.. monumental achievement each and every one

[@benscozzaro311]

Fred is the most incredible man I’ve ever seen! How in hell is he doing all that alone and so high up! RIP Fred D.

[@andysmith8901]

Also incredible to think that he constantly had to move that scaffolding down every time he knocked a load of brick off. Mind blowing work!!

[@mickpearson6184]

The physical strength and stamina needed to assemble that construction and climb that vertical ladder would have been off the scale

[@timothydraper6626]

Yes, ,moving the boards across the span of the chimney took some strength.

[@akramCED]

Amazing feat given the large pair of steel watermelons he was also carrying 😂

[@ianthomas739]

Fred must have had a strength that belied his build. Try hammering in hundreds of " dogs " with a lump hammer at head height and your hands and shoulders would probably give in - that's after swinging around on ladders all day taking most of his weight with just one hand at a time. I would have been honoured to shake one of those hands that Fred trusted his life with

[@maxi-me]

Thank goodness we have robots and jet-packs to do this work now...

[@voltagefireworker7849]

@@maxi-meI'm working in germany as a lineman, we climb pylons between 200 and 350 ft tall, even no ladder, just those bolts on the legs of the pylons.

[@trashpanda314]

Drinking and Climbing is a great documentary with Fred. Men like this built our world. Cut from a different cloth.

[@Hysteria98]

Never mind the courage, but the physical prowess and finesse is to be commended all its own. How the hell did he ever do all this? I'm watching it but still can't comprehend where he gets the leverage and follow through to do all this. Unbelievable.

[@sint5990]

It just seems impossible Fred never had a fall in all those years. To be that high with no harness, etc, and not one slip, not one misstep, not one failure of his scaffolding etc. in nearly 4 decades as a steeplejack. Such an amazing man he was!

[@bmkbmk4469]

What a guy....watched this in 82 and 2023....RIP

[@realgun666]

The man was a legend, blessed with both an extraordinary mind and hands that could quite literally create pretty much anything. They really don't make em like they used too.

[@Mudge07]

The irony of Fred saying that extra corner planking would make it safer, even when there’s a triangular gap is part of his extremely wry, gritty humour. Like the skyscraper builders, with Mr Dinah there’s a sensory component the majority of viewers don’t have and the remainder of their senses scream whoa! It takes a lot of effort to scale such a height and then he starts to free climb between fully exposed, open levels. Courage and mettle forged by a bygone age, FD showed how humble he was and the sophistication of that rigging demonstrated his grasp of the complex in both senses.

[@penzman]

Some of my nightmares have me sitting and stuck on top of giant cathedrals or building where I know attempting to climb down will kill me. This man lived my nightmares for a living.

[@valentinexyz]

Fred was a big part of growing up, as my father enjoyed his eccentricity and, shall we say, balls. I always come back to watching him with utter amazement. Fred's own style of 'health and safety' is indeed anachronistic, but no less safe than today's, he simply knew what he was doing. Fred would never agree with my sentimental rhetoric, but he was a bloody hero.

[@littleoleking3952]

It's nothing short of incredible. Everything about this is nothing that will be undertaken or experienced ever again. What a remarkable man.

[@kimboslice3406]

As a Cladder I work at heights with safety etc this man just amazes me each new video I watch cut from a different cloth back then absolute legend glad someone was able to document his life ❤ multi trade hard worker so he was

[@yorkiegeoff1825]

What unique and amazing man Fred was ! With the combination of knowledge and courage he made it look so simple . Whatever he got paid it wasn’t enough !! 😄 RIP Fred Dibnah …. An absolute legend 🙏

[@711honved]

Fred wasn't a young man when this was filmed. He'd climb to the top without a safety harness & sit on the edge of the chimney admiring the view. He'd then drink his bottle of beer with a cheese sandwich. Some man!

[@monticlassictv]

Possibly the very last of the great British workmen and it’s guys like Fred who built this great country of our’s and it’s sad to see what our once great nation has now become and thankfully Fred’s skills and life have been recorded for future generations to look back and admire.

[@deanboardman2342]

What a geezer !!! Legend and very very intelligent man to do what he's doing here is incredible and takes massive balls 👏 👌 we miss you fred. 😔

[@StephenBlane]

Everyone talking about Fred's bravery and balls of steel, which is well deserved! But I want to point out and appreciate that brave cameraman up with Fred at 10:00 who was in all fairness likely far less comfortable than Fred but still up there anyway getting those shots for us to enjoy!

[@paul_k_7351]

Dear BBC Archive, please release all the Fred Dibnah videos you have!

[@fidelcatsro6948]

you need to hire a lawyer and file a suit against bbc under the freedom of information act😂😂

[@eelponna3145]

@@fidelcatsro6948paid the BBC licence for decades and yet they withhold all the classic footage that we’ve paid to create in the first place!

[@JamesWho1]

A DVD was released a few years back got a few of his programmes on it

[@SimoWill75]

There's two series available right here on KZbin if you search. I posted playlist links here but my comment keeps getting deleted.

[@markwaldron1679]

Dvds are available

[@Watusifarm]

I’m a sandblast/painting contractor in Wisconsin. I’m on a job blasting and painting two 80 ft tall silos and it’s terrifying to be up there in a basket and I’ve thought of Fred Dibnah so many times this month😂. Brings a tear to my eye. God bless you, Fred.

[@mister3566]

He's brave and so is the cameraman

[@1paparico]

I watched Fred as a kid with my parents on tv, all those years ago. I admire him now as much as I did then. Now Iam the same age, as Fred when he passed. Somehow, as much as I like very skilled people in barns fixing stuff(I really do) no one is as valiant as Fred, and as down to earth..

[@kipper13000]

I'm too nervous to watch it all in one go, watch the rest later. extraordinary man

[@bartonbank2531]

I've watched this many times and it still amazes and scares me in equal measure

[@Robin6512]

I saw these documentaries on BBC in the early 80’s. My eternal respect for Fred Dibnah doing this like this.

[@alexanderhurley6738]

Oh wow! What a brave and talented man. There are no chimneys nowadays and if there were no one would be allowed to work on them like he did then. I never tire of seeing his films to remind me what an extraordinary person he was. A great loss to us all RIP Fred

[@paulcrowley]

My god what strength n bravery a true man they call these modern day footballers n singers hero's n legends that's a hero n legend right there

[@brendanswift6755]

There is no way on God's green earth you would get me doing that. Guy has huge balls

[@gmo4250]

Too right, I’ll be operating the pulley on the ground!

[@shaunhawkins7790]

I'd be making tea lol

[@SagaciousFrank]

​@@gmo4250same, even then I'd get light-headed just looking up at him. 😅

[@adods9824]

My thoughts exactly. Now, with a harness and pelican hooks etc etc, yes ...

[@adods9824]

​@@gmo4250Gin wheel :-)

[@G4RY1159]

Never missed a show when Fred first appeared on the old telebox, he was a Unique man and the likes of will never be seen ever again on this planet, they only made the one Fred Dibnah

[@CanOwhuppass]

Some man for one man. By God they don't make them like this any more. Always found Fred really inspiring.

[@beholder1972]

Today brick layers like myself have to bow down to a dedicated man like this. You need balls of steel to do what he had done. Even I would never think twice doing that job. Extrodenary!

[@MorrisseysMonkey]

Thumbs up to the lads who built the chimney! Fred a legend.

[@andynorton4854]

Manhandling those steal rods into place 200ft up, Hard work. We lack the skills, the strength and the bravado to do this today.

[@Stickleback]

Fred`s artwork was 2nd to none, an amazing talent. His work will always fascinate me, he`s a legend.

[@MatSpeedle]

My god he was a brave man, an absolute legend. People often overuse the "They don't make them like that anymore" but when it comes to Fred, they really don't.

[@chrissilvester5663]

What immense courageous balls this man had. Imagine getting up every morning knowing full well soon you'll be working 200ft in the air. This man is an absolute legend. Always enjoyed watching documentaries about this man. A very fascinating interesting character

[@rarmst75]

It was the size of his balls that made the chimney sway back n forth. Fred is an absolute legend.

[@simoncox5297]

I had the honour of meeting Fred shortly before his death, a real down to earth & funny man, I cherish the memories of him.

[@colinsmith6116]

Fred must have had so much confidnce in what he was doing. I would continually worry that those bolts would not hold for all manner of reasons. A very courageous man.

[@mickpearson6184]

He most have had tremendous self confidence in himself and his methods

[@stevenmitchell1504]

I think there must have been about 10 Fred Dibnah steeplejack lookalikes as you wonder how he possibly survived !!!

[@Darth_Chicken]

Amaze at Fred ever since I saw him as a UK kid. To think he regularly had 4-5 pints of beer at lunchtime before he went up there too. And he never fell off!

[@FredPilcher]

The man was a legend! Imagine how strong he was. #Respect.

[@DL-fi5cc]

Wow. Massive to Fred and anyone else who has EVER done this job. LEGENDS.

[@o0Hotiron0o]

Outstanding .... these type of skills are so unseen and unknown and what keeps humanity moving along whle others see nothing. Hats off. Thank you

[@simonhill4596]

There will only be one Fred Dibnah, not only a brilliant steeplejack but his knowledge about steam engines and engineering in general was second to none

[@cameronmcrae9768]

Every time I watch Fred’s videos I lose weight through severe sweating

[@Liverjohnpoolfc]

What a man, he truly was one of a kind, nerves of steel R.I.P Fred

[@dappy848]

One of the most amazing human being's to ever walk the planet. Admire and respect him. Above all tell your children.

[@sygad1]

Just casually smoking a cig with no harness wrapping rope around a board, meanwhile I'm sat on the sofa having my heart re-started from the fright

[@richardgrant7055]

My sentiments exactly !!

[@builder6x728]

FairPlay to him makes my legs go just watching it

[@Roberto-tu5re]

It remember watching this with my dad many years ago. The guy had nerves beyond anything but give to credit to the camera operator with him.

[@digitalimager4946]

"I've solved a lot of problems sitting on the top of factory chimneys". Legend.

[@theoracle8560]

“You can work quite comfortably as though you’re on the ground” 😂😂😂😂

[@SagaciousFrank]

Watching these documentaries and hearing how confidently and nonchalantly he talks about dicing with death as if it's just like working in the comfort of an office always makes me laugh.

[@Mike1614YT]

I can't comfortably watch it

[@BType13X2]

You can though think about how Iron workers erect skyscrapers. When you were a kid you'd balance on the edge of a curb and walk all the way down the road without thought or fear of it. Well the width of the curb is the same width as a 6" H (or I) beam. Once you are comfortable and the experience becomes normal you have no issue with doing it.

[@richardgrant7055]

Just to be helpful, the word is "kerb".@@BType13X2

[@johnbaer1528]

Anyone can with a good scaffold.