TV favourite is given year's rest in cash cutback
DOCTOR WHO is being time-warped off the air to save cash.
The cult show—the BBC's top selling programme overseas will take a year's rest.
BBC 1 chief Michael Grade has swung the axe so money can be poured into new programmes.
Last night a disappointed-Colin Baker, who plays the Doctor, said it was a "terrible shame." And he warned the lay-off could be "dangerous."
He said : " If there is any intention of getting rid of the show, it will be much harder after a year off the air for people who care about the show to mobilise effective opposition.
"I think it will be the end of one of the greatest traditions in TV if it is killed off."
The current series. which is screened on Saturdays and ends next month, is the 22nd —making it one of the longest-running shows on British TV.
And it is at its highest spot in the ratings for five years, with nearly eight million viewers.
Doctor Who has achieved cult status in the United States and Colin Baker reckons the BBC should try to sell it even harder there.
Pledged
"There is a huge market for Doctor Who in the States," he said.
Angry fans began bombarding the BBC with complaints last night.
Last night American fans challenged Mr. Grade to say how much was needed to keep Doctor Who on the air.
Ron Katz, president of the 40,000-strong United States fan club, said they could raise "five million dollars if needed."
But a BBC spokesman said they would have to wait until Mr. Grade returns from holiday before considering the offer.
And David Saunders of Britain's Doctor Who Appreciation Society pledged : "We will do everything in our power to try to make Mr. Grade change his mind."
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