Born in Amman, Jordan on 12 February 1953, Nabil Shaban was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle-bone disease).

At the age of three, he came England to undergo medical treatment for the condition and grew up in a series of hospitals and residential homes, where he had minimal contact with family and was expected to achieve little educationally.

Against the odds, he went on to have a successful and prolific career, both in mainstream television and theatre, as well as on the disability arts circuit, becoming one of the most influential figures in British theatre and disability advocacy.

Nabil studied at the University of Surrey, where his passion for performance and activism began to flourish. In 1980, he co-founded Graeae Theatre Company alongside Richard Tomlinson, creating the first professional theatre company in Britain dedicated to promoting disabled performers. The company, which Nabil named after the Graeae sisters of Greek mythology, became a groundbreaking force in disability arts and continues to champion diverse voices on stage to this day.

In 1997, Nabil was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Surrey for his revolutionary work in the promotion of Disability Arts and his tireless efforts to change public perceptions of disability in the performing arts.

Nabil's screen career spanned decades, with notable roles including appearances in Derek Jarman's Wittgenstein (1993), Roland Joffé's City of Joy (1992), and Alfonso Cuarón's acclaimed dystopian thriller Children of Men (2006).

But it was his portrayal of Sil in Doctor Who that made Nabil unforgettable to millions of viewers. He first appeared as the reptilian merchant from Thoros-Beta in the 1985 Sixth Doctor serial Vengeance on Varos, creating Sil's distinctive high-pitched laugh and unctuous mannerisms. He reprised the role the following year in The Trial of a Time Lord Parts 5-8 (aka  Mindwarp), cementing Sil's place as one of the show's most memorable villains.

Nabil brought Sil back to life for Big Finish in 2009's Mission to Magnus, a Lost Stories adaptation (starring Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant), and again in 2013's Antidote to Oblivion (starring Colin Baker and Lisa Greenwood). His performances on audio captured all the wit, menace, and dark humour that made the character so compelling on television. All four stories were written by Sil’s creator, Philip Martin.

Big Finish Creative Director, Nicholas Briggs, who directed Antidote to Oblivion and acted alongside him in Mission to Magnus, said: “My abiding impression of Nabil is that of a man brimming with passion, energy and determination.

“He brought that to his forthright views and to his acting. When he made a return to the much-loved, deliciously evil role of Sil, in Antidote to Oblivion, written by the character’s original creator Philip Martin, he took up the challenge with relish and was absolutely brilliant to work with.

“My favourite memory of him comes from a time before Big Finish, when he volunteered to be part of the Audio Visuals audio dramas in a historical play. When it was time to do the wild tracks featuring a mass of soldiers attacking, he enthusiastically joined in. We were in a well-equipped drama studio with lots of props to play with, but Nabil got so carried away with it all that he started dismantling his wheelchair and bashing the pieces together for extra effect! I shall never forget the glee that had clearly consumed him.”

Paying tribute on X (formerly Twitter), Nicola Bryant said: “So sorry to hear of the passing of dear Nabil Shaban. A wonderful actor, good friend and probably one of the best Doctor Who villains of all time. He worked tirelessly for disabled actors and always brought such dedication and humour to whatever he was doing.”

Nabil leaves behind his wife, Marcela Krystkova, whom he married in 2016, and his son, Zenyel Shaban-Rogers, from his earlier relationship with Tina Leslie.

• Nabil Shaban, actor, writer, and disability rights advocate, born 12 February 1953; died 18 October 2025.