Russell made his debut as science teacher Ian in the first ever Doctor Who adventure, An Unearthly Child, which aired on the BBC in 1963.<\/span><\/p>\n He\u00a0reprised the role for The Power of the Doctor<\/a>, which marked Jodie Whittaker\u2019s final outing as the Thirteenth Doctor, and means he now holds the record for the longest gap between TV appearances.<\/span><\/p>\n The record was previously held by Coronation Street actor Philip Lowrie, who returned to the cobbles to play Dennis Tanner after 43 years.<\/span><\/p>\n Guinness World Records<\/a> confirmed the achievement, announcing: \u201cThe longest gap between TV appearances is 57 years 120 days, and was achieved by William Russell (UK) as the Doctor Who character Ian Chesterton in The Power of the Doctor episode, which aired on 23rd October 2022.\u201d<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/p>\n A BBC spokesperson told Metro<\/a>: \u201cWe\u2019re delighted William Russell, along with other familiar faces, appeared in The Power of the Doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s testament to the show\u2019s loyal viewers and fanbase that a character can return so many years later and receive such a positive reaction.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Russell originally starred alongside the First Doctor, played by William Hartnell, as well as the Doctor\u2019s granddaughter Susan Foreman, played by Carole Ann Ford, and fellow teacher Barbara Wright, played by Jacqueline Hill.<\/span><\/p>\n He eventually left the show alongside Hill in 1965, towards the end of the second season, but continued his association with Doctor Who, narrating audiobook releases of lost 1960s episodes and appearing in audio stories.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In The Power of the Doctor, Russell\u2019s Ian appeared alongside the likes of Bonnie Langford\u2019s Mel Bush, Katy Manning\u2019s Jo Jones, Sophie Aldred\u2019s Ace and Janet Fielding\u2019s Tegan Jovanka in a scene where previous companions of the Doctor appeared to form a support group<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n How it started \/\/ How it’s going \u2728![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/10\/doctor-who-william-russell-cc3ca85.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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