DailyDispatchOnline

Bringing You the Daily Dispatch

Culture TV and Radio

“I had the opportunity to be involved with Kylie!” Celebrities reveal their favorite moments from Doctor Who – first installment.


Simon Callow portrayed Charles Dickens from 2005 to 2011.

As a child, I was not interested in Doctor Who like most of my peers. When I watched the first episode, I mockingly exclaimed, “Science fiction? Gross!” Therefore, when I played the role of Chas Dickens, it was my first experience with Doctor Who. However, I vividly recall being moved to tears, just like Christopher Eccleston, during our final exchange. Dickens asks the Doctor, “You seem to have great knowledge of the future. May I inquire about something?” The Doctor replies, “Please do.” Dickens then asks, “Will my books continue to be read?” The Doctor assures him, “Yes, forever.” This moment was truly beautiful.

Euros Lyn, the director of episodes featuring the Ninth and Tenth Doctors from 2005 to 2010.

“The second installment of Christopher Eccleston’s time as the Doctor was titled ‘The End of the World.’ The episode takes place on a space station where the inhabitants are observing the final moments of Earth as the sun expands and destroys the planet. Rose, played by Billie Piper, becomes overwhelmed by her first journey through time. In order to ease her fears, the Doctor switches out the sim card in her phone with one that allows her to call the past. The scene shifts from Rose witnessing the demise of our world to her mother in their apartment building, doing laundry. “Are you hungover?” her mother asks. This is what I find most captivating about Doctor Who: it seamlessly combines grandiose science fiction elements with relatable human emotions.”

Ace, portrayed by Sophie Aldred, served as the companion to the Seventh Doctor from 1987 to 1989.

‘Sylvester McCoy was screaming to get me out!’ … Sophie Aldred in Battlefield.

I have a vivid recollection of being pulled out of a tank of water, causing it to spill all over the studio floor. Sylvester McCoy was loudly instructing me to get out. Another memory involving water was when I stood on a rocky outcrop in Lulworth Cove with Sylvester, and the stunt coordinator instructed me to wait for a wave and then dive in. I was scared, but also thrilled at the prospect of performing this crazy stunt. Nowadays, it would be unheard of for a leading actor to attempt something like that!

Stephen Gallagher was responsible for writing episodes that featured the Fourth and Fifth Doctors from 1981 to 1983.

In 1965, I attended a screening of the Hartnell-era episode of Dr Who at Lewis’s department store on Market Street in Manchester. However, my excitement was heightened when the movie version, “Dr Who and the Daleks”, was shown on a big screen in color, starring Peter Cushing. The department store even recreated one of the sets, including a maze that led to the Dalek control room. My mother had to physically pull me away as I was so captivated by the experience, but I was only nine years old at the time.

Anneke Wills portrayed Polly, the companion of the First and Second Doctors from 1966 to 1967.

Anneke Wills as Polly, Patrick Troughton as the Doctor and Michael Craze as Ben in 1967.

In October of 1966, Patrick Troughton walked into Saint Helen’s church hall wearing a red cardigan and a woven Greek bag over his shoulder, with a copy of the Manchester Guardian visible. The group erupted into cheers as he entered with a hopeful expression on his face. This unforgettable moment marked the impact Troughton had on the legacy of Doctor Who. Without him, we wouldn’t be discussing the show today.

The series producer for 2008-2022 is Nikki Wilson.

After producing Doctor Who for over ten years, it’s nearly impossible to choose just one standout moment from the countless crazy, stressful, and joyous memories. However, if I had to select one, it would be the time I squeezed into a real airplane to watch the crew rehearse the scene at the end of Spyfall where Sacha Dhawan brilliantly reveals that the friendly “O” is actually the Master. Sacha’s performance was so dynamic that it earned a spontaneous round of applause! That moment always gave me a sense of excitement.

Simon Nye (writer of Amy’s Choice, 2010)

The two-part episode “The Impossible Planet” and “The Satan Pit” reached new heights of terror, eloquence, and narrative, with witty exchanges as sophisticated as ever. Who could have imagined that the most chilling creatures are the unassuming Ood, whose faces resemble a tangle of guts crammed into a hard-boiled egg? And the most frightening sight in the cosmos is a man bearing inscriptions on his face?

Ignore the advertisement for the newsletter.

John Leeson portrayed K9, the robotic canine companion of the Doctor from 1977 to 2008.

Looking a little ruff … K9.

While filming The Stones of Blood in Oxfordshire, we were at the Rollright Stones location. I was concealed in a BBC van with a small microphone attached to my lip, allowing my K9 voice to be heard outside. During a break, the director instructed us to take a pause, and Tom Baker sat on a nearby bank with the K9 module next to him. He called out to me and asked if I had brought my Times crossword. I responded with a “yes” and we began working on the clues together. However, what I couldn’t see were the bystanders who were completely immersed in the idea that K9 and his owner were real and present at the location.

Jimmy Vee portrayed multiple extraterrestrial characters, such as the Moxx of Balhoon, the Graske, and Bannakaffalatta, from 2005 to 2014.

Bannakaffalatta.

One of my most enjoyable moments on Doctor Who was portraying Bannakaffalatta. He had the opportunity to have a romantic relationship with Kylie Minogue aboard the Titanic. It was an honor to play this character as Russell T Davies specifically created the role for me. Among all the roles I’ve played on the show, this was definitely the most memorable one.

Ruth Madeley portrays Shirley Anne Bingham in the 60th anniversary specials, scheduled for 2023.

I have always been a fan of the chemistry between David Tennant and Catherine Tate. They have a fantastic dynamic and add so much to every scene with their humor, emotion, and excitement. When I learned that I would be working with them for the 60th anniversary, it was like a dream come true. I feel incredibly fortunate.

Kai Owen portrayed the character of Rhys Williams on Torchwood from 2006 to 2011.

Being a part of the Whoniverse brings immense joy! My experience as Rhys on Torchwood is one of the highlights of my career. Working with Russell T Davies was a dream come true. The Torchwood hub and the Tardis were both located in the same studio, with a black cloth separating them. I can vividly recall walking onto the Tardis and rehearsing my lines, it was such an exhilarating moment. The most amazing aspect is the unwavering support, loyalty, and love from the fans for Doctor Who. The universal adoration for this show never fails to amaze me!

Tom Kingsley (director of one of the 60th anniversary specials, 2023)

Each installment features the Doctor using their intelligence and a screwdriver to overcome challenges. I appreciate how the show itself exhibits the same ingenuity, despite its limited BBC budget. One standout example is “Blink,” where the Weeping Angels make their debut. The creatures are never seen moving and the Doctor has a minimal role, yet Steven Moffat crafts an enthralling and haunting narrative. It’s truly impressive to create something so captivating from just a few elements…though having Carey Mulligan as one of those elements certainly doesn’t hurt!

Source: theguardian.com