View source for Former Dr Who blasts BBC for blocking revival

{{article
| publication = London Evening Standard
| file = 2001-08-24 Evening Standard.jpg
| px = 450
| height = 
| width = 
| date = 2001-08-24
| author = 
| pages = 12
| language = English 
| type = 
| description = 
| categories = 
| moreTitles = 
| morePublications = 
| moreDates = 
| text = 
THE BBC has been accused of keeping Dr Who from a new generation of science-fiction fans by Dr Who himself. The sixth actor to take the role, Colin Baker, has called for the Beeb to sell its rights to the show and let another TV company take over Tardis duties.

"Many production companies have spent long hours and months putting together applications to make the programme," Baker claims, "only to have the plans founder when someone at Shepherd's Bush says, 'if you want it that much, maybe we should hang on to it a bit longer.' So yet another generation is denied the opportunity of having their own special Doctor."

The BBC's most recent attempt to bring Dr Who back to the screen was the 1996 TV film it made with Universal starring Paul McGann. However plans for a spin-off series were shelved after the film flopped in the States.

"Dr Who has a place of special affection with many viewers," the BBC admits. "But if it returned it would have to compete with more expensive American sci-fi series, where big-screen production values are the norm. We have no plans to bring back the Doctor to TV."

Nevertheless there is no sign that it will cede to Colin Baker's demands, and let someone else have a go. "It is one of those enduring titles which we have exploited for fans on the net, on video and, more recently, on radio," declares a brazen BBC spokesman.


Caption: Baker: other companies want to make Dr Who if BBC do not
}}