View source for BBC sued for £14m over Dr Who deal

{{article
| publication = The Daily Telegraph
| file = 1996-08-24 Daily Telegraph.jpg
| px = 550
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| date = 1996-08-24
| author = Anson Boshoff
| pages = 5
| language = English 
| type = 
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| text = 
PLANS for a trilogy of Dr Who films, starring Alan Rickman, were ruined when the BBC reneged on the deal, it was alleged yesterday. 

The BBC is being sued for more than £14 million after the deal to make three full-length feature films collapsed. This is believed to be one of the biggest writs served in the BBC's history. 

Daltenreys Ltd, a consortium of three British filmmakers and other backers, including Bryan Ferry, the singer, issued a writ in the High Court seeking almost £l million in compensation for costs plus £13.5 million in damages.

They say they were about to cast Alan Rickman as the Doctor in early 1994 when they heard via a children's television programme that a deal had been struck by the BBC and Steven Spielberg. An American film was made last year by Universal, not Spielberg, with Paul McGann in the lead. It has since been shown on TV.

The BBC sold the option on rights to make three films of Dr Who to Daltenreys in 1987 for £40,000. In 1989, Daltenreys paid £400,000 to take up the option.

A BBC spokesman said: "We will vigorously contest any action. They had the rights from us but, even with an extended period of time, could not get the production off the ground. The rights reverted to the BBC."

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