Time runs out for Dr Who star
- Publication: London Evening Standard
- Date: 1986-12-18
- Author: Steve Clarke
- Page: 3
- Language: English
DR WHO actor Colin Baker is to leave TV's longest-running science fiction series.
The BBC told him that time had run out for the actor who has played the part for the past three years.
Mr Baker's agent Barry Burnett said: "Colin is sorry and disappointed to be leaving a part he loved.
"The BBC only asked him back for four episodes and he didn't want to go back for such a short period."
They said there had been no row with Mr Baker, who is appearing as Buttons in Cinderella at Brighton's Theatre Royal.
The pantomime is directed by John Nathan-Turner, who also directs Dr Who.
"We think it's time to change the doctor as we have in the past," said a BBC spokesman. "We will be looking for a successor in the new year."
Change
Dr Who returned to the screens this autumn after being put into cold storage for 18 months by BBC 1 controller Michael Grade.
It followed protests by the programme's fans.
At the time Mr Baker described his part "as one of the best on TV."
He said: "It was like coming home. It was odd stopping in mid - stream.
"Tom Baker played the doctor for seven years. That sounds a good target to aim for."
Mr Baker recently joined BBC chiefs, including Mr Grade, on a promotional tour of Americ, where Dr Who is shown on some stations every night.
Disclaimer: These citations are created on-the-fly using primitive parsing techniques. You should double-check all citations. Send feedback to whovian@cuttingsarchive.org
- APA 6th ed.: Clarke, Steve (1986-12-18). Time runs out for Dr Who star. London Evening Standard p. 3.
- MLA 7th ed.: Clarke, Steve. "Time runs out for Dr Who star." London Evening Standard [add city] 1986-12-18, 3. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Clarke, Steve. "Time runs out for Dr Who star." London Evening Standard, edition, sec., 1986-12-18
- Turabian: Clarke, Steve. "Time runs out for Dr Who star." London Evening Standard, 1986-12-18, section, 3 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Time runs out for Dr Who star | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Time_runs_out_for_Dr_Who_star | work=London Evening Standard | pages=3 | date=1986-12-18 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=29 March 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Time runs out for Dr Who star | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Time_runs_out_for_Dr_Who_star | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=29 March 2025}}</ref>
