Class Act: Time Lady Jodie Backed After Fans' Backlash

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Publication: Daily Record
Date: 2017-07-18
Author: Nicola Methven
Page: 12
Language: English

FORMER Time Lord Colin Baker has backed Jodie Whittaker's casting as the 13th Doctor Who - and branded the response of some fans as "sad".

Some Whovians were so incensed by the news that the Broadchurch star, 35, would take up the sonic screwdriver they vowed to never watch again.

One threatened to burn their DVD collection while others joked that she would struggle to park the Tardis.

But most fans were thrilled to get the first female Time Lord - as were former Doctor Who actors and guest stars.

Baker, 74, was the sixth Doctor and starred in the BBC sci-fi hit from 1984 to 1986.

He said after Jodie's unveiling: "Well I never, the BBC really did do the right thing and let the Doctor he in touch with her feminine side. As a father of daughters - result Change. my dears, and not a moment too soon - she IS the Doctor whether you like it or not."

And when the backlash came, he added: "Cannot deny that I am amazed by the 'never watch it again reaction of some viewers. I hesitate to call them 'fans. Very sad.

"To those making 'parking the Tardis jokes - name me one male Doctor that was unfailingly good at that."

The seventh Doctor. Scot Sylvester McCoy, 73, agreed. writing: "Congrats Jodie. One small step for women, one giant leap for womenkind."

Peter Davison, 66, the fifth Time Lord, did not comment on Jodie's appointment but suggested those unsure about it were not necessarily sexist.

He said: "It might be more helpful to be encouraging and not simply scornful of fans who are uncertain about change."

Billie Piper, 34, who played assistant Rose Tyler alongside ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston and 10th Doctor David Tennant. was thrilled. She said:

"G'wan Jodie. This is amazing news. Well done Dr Who world:

And Tracy Ann Oberman, 50, who plays Torchwood baddie Yvonne Hartman, added: "Good choice. A generation of young Whovians will now know as a female in the universe, you don't have to be the assistant:

Not everyone associated with the show was as positive. Peter Purves, 78, who appeared alongside original Doctor William Hartnell. had said last week he would be "horrified" by a female lead.

He said: "That's not a misogynistic view - it's just I don't think it's right A bit like James Bond, Doctor Who ought to be a man."

Purves, though, seemed to be in a minority. Comic Sue Perkins, 47. wrote: "Jodie is a class act. End of."

John Boyega also approved. The Star Wars actor, 25, who was in 2011 film Attack the Block with Jodie, posted: "So proud, she's going to be awesome."

Doctor Who writer Mark Gatiss said the appointment marked a "new dawn".

Political figures got in on the act, too. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote: "Welcome, madam:.

PM Theresa May was said to be "pleased" but refused to be drawn on whether operating the Tardis was a "boy job" or a "girl job".

Most complaints about the gender switch came from male fans - but there were plenty from females, too.

Sharon Bull posted: "Doctor Who is over for me now. Hugely disappointed:

But another viewer said: "For each sexist bigot threatening not to watch. there'll be a young girl with a new hero they didn't have before:'

Jacqui Oatley, who was the first female commentator on Match of the Day in 2007, sent words of encouragement.

She said: "People are really rooting for you. The majority are so positive. You kind of need to get over the hurdle of the first one."

Many viewers believed that the recent series finale contained a clue to the new Time Lord being female. John Simm, as The Master, rolled his eyes while asking. "Will the future be all girl?", to which Capaldi replied: "We can only hope.

Capaldi. 59, has praised his successor, saying: "Anyone who has seen Jodie work will know she is a wonderful actress. She's going to be a fantastic Doctor'

Jodie, believed to be on a one-year deal, will make her debut in the Christmas Day special.

Captions:

BIG NAME Jodie Whittaker, far left, starred in drama series Broadchurch with Olivia Colman and Simone McAullay

UNVEILED Jodie was revealed as the new doctor on Sunday on BBC One

MUM'S THE WORD Jodie with two-year-old daughter.

OLD TIMERS Previous doctors, from left, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Matt Smith

Fans make accent plea

FANS are urging Jodie to keep her Yorkshire accent - amid speculation she could drop it for American audiences.

David Tennant previously said he came under pressure to lose his Scottish brogue. Jodie grew up near Huddersfield but successfully altered her accent for Broadchurch.

Beeb deny pay gap smokescreen accusation

THE BBC were last night accused of "deliberately" announcing the news of a female Doctor Who days before they will be criticised over a potential gender pay gap.

Some industry sources feel Jodie Whittaker's casting has been timed to try to show the corporation in a good light.

One said: "This is deliberate ahead of less positive news for women in the annual report." The BBC insisted that the timing was "purely coincidental".

The corporation's biggest stars are bracing themselves for their salaries to be revealed tomorrow.

At the weekend it was reported that there is expected to be a gender pay gap with many of the top male stars earning more than female co-stars.

Those topping the list in terms of earnings could include Graham Norton, Gary Lineker and John Humphreys.

BBC boss Tony Hall will try to defend the figures by pointing out those earning £150,000 or more is down10 per cent in the last year.

He will also say that in the last four years, 60 per cent of those promoted to earn over this figure have been female.

A BBC source added: "We want to have parity by 2020 in terms of male and female cast and presenters and we are making headway towards that."

Hall believes the corporation pays "significantly less" than channels in the commerical sector.

The source added: "What Gary Lineker earns at the BBC compared to what he earns at BT Sport are different universes."

Caption: BIG EARNER BBC host Gary Lineker

Wife in the fast lane

THIS is the dashing husband of Jodie Whittaker, who she met at drama school.

The Doctor Who star married Hispanic-American actor Christian Contreras when she was 26 and the couple have one child together.

She said recently: "He's from Tucson and I'm from Huddersfield.

"But I don't divulge stuff about him, because I don't think he'd appreciate it when he's not here to speak for himself.

"We do get comments like, 'Where the hell did you two meet?' We're like an international couple."

Talking about tying the knot previously, she said: "I felt really young when I got married at just 26, especially living and working somewhere as fast-paced as London.

"But I'm a good wife, though I think I'm a bit rubbish at home comforts."

Caption: GOOD WIFE With Christian

Class Act: Time Lady Jodie Backed After Fans' Backlash

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