The hair may be greyer and the girth slightly wider, but the face is unmistakeably that of Tom Baker. And the much-loved actor is due to rematerialise on our screens this autumn, not as Doctor Who, but as Donald MacDonald — a long-lost son from Monarch ofthe Glen's Glenbogle.
These exclusive pictures are the first of Baker on the set of Monarch — and he admits he's having a real Highland fling: "The beauty ofthe place is quite astounding and the craic is absolutely terrific —the Scots love tall stories." These days, 70-year-old Baker lives with his wife in France, so he's renting a flat in Kingussie until filming ends in September. But self-catering isn't one of his talents. "I have a girl who comes in, but I can't ask her to cook for me. So the evenings tend to be a microwaved snack and a cold, strong beer."
Baker plays the younger brother of Hector MacDonald who returns to the village after a 40-year absence. "I spoke to [past and present Monarch stars] Richard Briers and Susan Hampshire about taking the part and they said it was a very romantic show, so I thought I would be romantic for a while." As he joins the cast, two established Monarch stars —Hamish Clark and Dawn Steele, who play Duncan and Lexie —will leave during the forthcoming series.
Baker's still stopped in the street by people who want to talk about Doctor Who — though he has little to say about the new Doctor, Christopher Eccleston. "I'm afraid I've never heard of him," Baker tells us, "though I hope he has great success."
PROGRAMME? Monarch of the Glen
WHO'S IN IT? Susan Hampshire, Tom Baker, Lloyd Owen
WHEN'S IT ON? September 2004
Caption: Former Doctor Who Tom Baker's time-travelling days may be over, but he finds Glenbogle's sundial a reassuring presence
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