Trial of a Time Lord

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• Publication: The Mirror
• Date: 1986-11-29
• Author: Tony Purnell
• Page:
• Language: English

Exterminate Him!

The Doctor faces his greatest peril—from Beeb bosses

DR WHO is safe ... but time is running out for Colin Baker, the actor who plays him.

The 41-year-old star faces extermination before the series returns next year.

The kids' space saga, which has been running for 23 years, was on trial for its life accused of being too violent, too tired and too serious.

Now BBC top brass have reprieved the show but are still dithering over tousle-haired Colin. An insider said: "It's felt a new doctor—or even one of the old ones—would give the show a lift."

"Bonnie Langford who plays the Good Doctor's sidekick in the current series (BBC-1 5.20pm) which ends next week has already got a new contract. But outspoken Colin, who criticised his bosses when the programme was shelved for 18 months, is still waiting to hear his fate.

His agent Barry Burnett said: "We don't know what the BBC are playing at.

"But they still have a few days to pick up the option they have on Colin."

Producer John Nathan-Turner wouldn't say why Colin's contract had not been quickly renewed. But he insisted HEB wanted Colin back to the part.

A BBC spokesman said: "We have only just been given the green light to continue with a new series.

"I can't say who is going to play the doctor because I don't know yet." A change of doctor is no problem. The Time Lord can swap shape at the drop of a tardis.

The Doctors' Who's Who boasts six top names. First there was William Hartnell back in 1963 who spent three years in the role.

Then came Patrick Troughton, (three years), followed by Jon Pertwee, (five years), Tom Baker, (seven years), Peter Davison (three years), and Colin (two years).

Fun

Jon Pertwee, now better known as Worzel Gummidge said: "If I was available I would consider going back into the series."

Patrick Troughton said: "It was great fun play the doctor. If I was asked I'd give it serious consideration."

But Peter Davison wasn't so keen. He said: "If they asked me to do it again an about 20 years time I'd think about It At the moment I'm happy doing other things."

Dr Who? Right now that's anybody's guess.

Familiar faces who could be back as Who

Caption: Colin Baker. His time could be up

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.: Purnell, Tony (1986-11-29). Trial of a Time Lord. The Mirror .
• MLA 7th ed.: Purnell, Tony. "Trial of a Time Lord." The Mirror [add city] 1986-11-29. Print.
• Chicago 15th ed.: Purnell, Tony. "Trial of a Time Lord." The Mirror, edition, sec., 1986-11-29
• Turabian: Purnell, Tony. "Trial of a Time Lord." The Mirror, 1986-11-29, section, edition.
• Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Trial of a Time Lord | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Trial_of_a_Time_Lord | work=The Mirror | pages= | date=1986-11-29 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=24 November 2024 }}</ref>
• Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Trial of a Time Lord | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Trial_of_a_Time_Lord | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=24 November 2024}}</ref>