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{{article | publication = Daily Express | file = 1986-12-20 Daily Express.jpg | px = 450 | height = | width = | date = 1986-12-20 | author = Anne Caborn | pages = | language = English | type = | description = | categories = cast changes, female Doctor | moreTitles = | morePublications = | moreDates = | text = It's amazing what can happen to that seasoned time traveller Dr Who. On his next excursion among the heavenly bodies he may actually turn into one... and become Dr Her. And Joanna Lumley is materialising as one of the stars who could take a journey into space. So far 25 actors — including two women — have staked a claim to replace deposed Colin Baker as the next Time Lord. And when casting starts in the New Year, the show's producer John Nathan-Turner says there is no reason why Dr Who shouldn't be a Dr Her. "I think from what we know about Time Lords that it's perfectly feasible," he said. The BBC is refusing to say who the women applicants are, but Joanna, Victoria Wood and Jill Gascoigne are all strong possibilities. Great "I think it's a great idea," said Lynda Bellingham, who played the Inquisitor in the last series, when the Doctor was put on trial for interfering in time. "As a current Time Lady, I see no reason why I shouldn't put myself in the running." The idea has even got hacking from the European Parliament. Labour Euro MPs yesterday wrote to BBC Director General Alasdair Milne saying a female Time Lord would help encourage women to apply for high tech jobs. "Children watching Dr Who have for years seen a man as the high tech wizard with women as will Joanna mere assistants," said the letter, signed by Euro MPs Carole Tongue (London East), Mike Elliott (London West), Carole Crawley (Birmingham East) and Eddy Newman (Greater Manchester Central). "So in a subtle way, the image persists that high tech jobs are an exclusive male preserve. "Having had several men cast as Dr Who, it is high time a woman played the part. It will encourage girls to think of making careers in science and be a breath of fresh air to the programme as well." Colin Baker said yesterday that he had received letters from hundreds of fans begging him not to leave the programme. Plastic "They write as though it was my decision not to stay," he said. "The fans, bless their hearts, all say please, please stay on. "I have a great plastic bag with about 500 letters which I am wading through. So far they all say 'Oh Colin, please don't go. We love you.'" HEAVENLY BODY: will Lumley be the next Dr Who? }}

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