30 years of the Doctor
- Publication: Hartlepool Mail
- Date: 1993-11-19
- Author: Bernice Saltzer
- Page:
- Language: English
FOR Americans the significance of 1963 is in the fact that it's the year President John F Kennedy was assassinated.
In Britain that same year marks an event which - although it doesn't compare in terms of tragedy - is just as significant in many minds.
On November 23 1963 the BBC transmitted the first-ever episode of Dr Who, with William Hartnell playing the time travelling doctor.
Hartnell's hallmarks were his long white hair and frock coat, but thanks to the doctor's ability to transmute himself Into another human form he has also been played by Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker. Peter Davison. Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy.
Over the years the doctor has encountered endless adversaries, from, the daleks to the Cybermen, from the Zygons to the sea devils.
The fact that the doctor is now 30 years old has not escaped Tom Baker, who played the time lord from 1974 to 1982. Baker, who is currently seen playing Doctor Hoyt in Medics, remembers his time with the series fondly and has no regrets about leaving.
"After a while, when the pain of sacrifice evaporates, you think that perhaps being a worn-out old hero might be little bit like having been a boxer or a footballer or a cricket player, when you suddenly lost that glamour from your life," he said.
"It was an ecstatic time when people constantly saw me in a very uncomplicated way."
To celebrate the 30th anniversary UK Gold has set aside this weekend November 20 and 21 - as a tribute to the series.
During the two days the station will be broadcasting 12 hours of Dr Who programmes - and the chance to win a pile of Dr Who memorabilia including an exclusive Tardis.
UK Gold is also giving viewers an opportunity to vote for the programmes they want to see, their favourite doctor, companion and monster by ringing 0891
Dr Who mugs competition
MAIL readers are also getting the opportunity to win an exclusive Dr Who prize of their own, as we've got one limited edition mug set (pictured) to give away to the winner of our word square competition.
ALL you have to do is find the following words: UK Gold, Tardis, Doctor Who, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Silurians, Sylvester McCoy, Dalek, Time Lord, Jon Pertwee. Cybermen, The Master, Sea Devils, Terry Nation.
SEND your completed word square, with your name and address, to: Dr Who Competition, The Mail, Clarence Road, Hartlepool TS24 8BU by next Friday.
THE sender of the first correct entry pulled out of the hat will win the set of mugs.
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.: Saltzer, Bernice (1993-11-19). 30 years of the Doctor. Hartlepool Mail .
- MLA 7th ed.: Saltzer, Bernice. "30 years of the Doctor." Hartlepool Mail [add city] 1993-11-19. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Saltzer, Bernice. "30 years of the Doctor." Hartlepool Mail, edition, sec., 1993-11-19
- Turabian: Saltzer, Bernice. "30 years of the Doctor." Hartlepool Mail, 1993-11-19, section, edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=30 years of the Doctor | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/30_years_of_the_Doctor | work=Hartlepool Mail | pages= | date=1993-11-19 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=16 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=30 years of the Doctor | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/30_years_of_the_Doctor | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=16 April 2025}}</ref>
