ACTOR William Hartnell, television's original Dr Who, died in a Maidstone hospital today. He was 67 and had suffered a series of strokes during the last three years.
Hartnell was a familiar face to two generations—first as a tough sergeant-major in dozens of war-time films, later as Dr, Who.
He took on the Dr Who role in 1963 and in spite of predictions that the programme would run only for six weeks kept the part for three years. Three other actors have since taken turns in the serial, which is still running.
Hartnell began his career in 1924, went into films in 1931, and had his first London stage part the next year.
He was 55 when he became a hero to millions of children as the eccentric time traveller Dr Who—a part which brought hint great pleasure after years of playing what he called " bastards."
He said: "I was so pleased to be offered Dr Who. To me kids are the greatest audiences—and the greatest critics—in the world.
"He was a real bastard," Hartnell said of the character. "But it was a marvellous role."
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