THE FOURTH actor to portray Dr Who, Tom Baker, is to quit the BBC series, it was announced yesterday.
He took over frees Jon Pertwee as the vivid inter-galactic character in 1974, and ever since the audience, including a massive adult following, has increased.
"I loved this programme very much. It's taken several months to reach this decision. It's not been easy," said Baker. "This has been the happiest time of my career. It's not something you decide lightly."
Baker, former bod carrier London building site, brought tremendous personality to the series — during which he has been assisted to his time travels a selection of shapely young helpers.
"I honestly think I've given the series everything I have to give. think it's time to let someone else have go.
"It really has been a very emotional decision and the friends I've talked to about it say I must be mad to give it up," he said.
"You only have to look at the figures. We've get an audience of more than 100 million, and it's shown in 37 countries."
He said he would most miss the international appeal as a "[...] here" who children need never fear.
"Whoever takes over from me — I just hope they will be as happy I am.
"I get the feeling that whatever I can do next, it can never as happy as the time I have spent doing this.
"It's been a great part of my life for the past few years and great part of mv career.
"I've enjoyed every single minute of it. It was never hard work - simply because it was such fun."
He will still be seen in the series until next March, and resumes filming On Saturday.
A BBC spokesman confirmed: "We know who we want to replace him but negotiations are continuing."
Caption: DH WHO meets ...Dr Who? Actor Tom Baker alongside a wax figure of the character at Madame Tussaud's in London yesterday for private view of the "Dr Who Experience" which goes on until April next year.
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