As the trailblazing series turns 60, we look back at who was Who in the world’s longest-running science fiction TV show
Everyone has their favourite Doctor. For many it is the “timey-wimey” tenth Doctor, played by David Tennant.
He was the first to fall in love with his assistant, Rose Tyler, played by Billie Piper. Their tragic separation had the nation more engrossed than his battles with his arch enemies, the Daleks.
When it was announced that Tennant was returning to the TARDIS after 13 years for three special episodes to mark the 60th anniversary, the fandom went wild.
With over 800 episodes of Doctor Who programming available on BBC iPlayer from November 1, Whovians can obsess to their (two) hearts’ content.
Older viewers may look back fondly on the Doctors of their youth, from wide-eyed Tom Baker with his 12ft scarf and robot dog companion K9, to the karate-chopping, tweed cape-wearing Jon Pertwee with his yellow vintage car, Bessie.
The series was dreamed up by the BBC’s head of drama Sydney Newman, and brought to life by producer Verity Lambert.
“I was given a piece of paper that said there was a man who has come from we-know-not-where, with a spaceship he doesn’t know how to work,” Lambert recalled.
When it launched on November 23, 1963, few could have imagined that the Saturday teatime tale of a crotchety time traveller in a police box would enthral generations to come.
The world was reeling from the assassination of President John F. Kennedy the day before, and few tuned in. Within weeks, though, the Doctor met his most famous foes, the Daleks, and the show became a sensation.
Ironically, the metal monsters that have spent the past six decades trying to exterminate the Doctor saved the show from cancellation!
William Hartnell was hugely popular as the first Doctor, but the schedule took a toll on his health. It could have been the end Doctor Who.
Instead, the producers came up with an idea that ensured the show could run without end: the Doctor’s ability to regenerate.
Hartnell metamorphosed into Patrick Troughton, who played the recorder, dressed like a tramp, and battled robot yeti in the London Underground. He was followed in the ’70s by Pertwee and Baker. Each gave the Doctor a new personality.
“It kind of licensed me to be my own rather silly but good-natured, jolly self,” said Baker.
Peter David
