{"id":39901,"date":"2023-11-17T09:00:08","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T08:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1926538"},"modified":"2023-11-17T10:30:57","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T09:30:57","slug":"doctor-who-at-60-when-the-time-lords-assembled-for-radio-times","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/doctor-who-at-60-when-the-time-lords-assembled-for-radio-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctor Who at 60: When the Time Lords assembled for Radio Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever since 1972, Radio Times has been bringing together the stars of Doctor Who for special photoshoots. <\/p>

By Patrick Mulkern\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 17 November 2023 at 08:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Across all of time and space, many of the most striking and abiding images for Doctor Who<\/a> fans have been special Radio Times<\/strong> photoshoots, organised to celebrate the major anniversaries \u2013 usually calling for a time-bending gathering of the actors who\u2019ve inhabited the title role.<\/p>\n

1972 \u2013 Season 10<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The first shoot took place in October 1972 and was one of the most remarkable and timely \u2013 uniting the first three incarnations: William Hartnell<\/a>, Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee. Prior to the BBC\u2019s launch of The Three Doctors<\/a> for the tenth season of Doctor Who in 1972, this RT<\/strong> photoshoot was actually the very first time all three stars had come together as a trio. They were photographed by RT<\/strong> regular Ray Rathborne at a studio in Battersea.<\/p>\n

\"William\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee as the Three Doctors in Doctor Who. Photographed in 1972 by Ray Rathborne. (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Fifty-one years later, RT<\/strong>\u2019s art editor at that time, David Driver, recalls that day clearly. \u201cI directed the Hartnell, Troughton and Pertwee cover myself. I was a great enthusiast for Doctor Who and managed good coverage for this classic\u00a0programme. Both Troughton and Pertwee were charming in the manner they cared for a fragile Hartnell. It was a delightful session and all three actors had love and affection for the programme and recognised its special role in the Saturday schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n

1983 \u2013 the 20th anniversary<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Five Doctors<\/a> in 1983 was a joyful celebration of two decades of Doctor Who \u2013 but also an odd one. William Hartnell had died in 1975, so the \u201coriginal\u201d Doctor was recast as Richard Hurndall, who bore only a passing resemblance to Hartnell. Although other past Doctors Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee readily signed up to star alongside current star Peter Davison, the fourth incarnation Tom Baker declined to appear. Instead, he allowed clips from his unfinished 1979\/80 story Shada to be used, while for a publicity shoot his Madame Tussauds waxwork was pressed into service.<\/p>\n

\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The Five Doctors, 1983 \u2013 a waxwork Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Jon Pertwee, Patrick Troughton and Richard Hurndall in Bessie. Photographed by Steve Benbow. (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The Five Doctors, 1983 \u2013 Patrick Troughton, Peter Davison, Richard Hurndall and Jon Pertwee carry the waxwork of Tom Baker. Photographed by Steve Benbow. (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The Five Doctors, 1983 \u2013 Richard Hurndall, Nicholas Courtney, Peter Davison, Elisabeth Sladen, Tom Baker\u2019s waxwork, Patrick Troughton, Carole Ann Ford and Jon Pertwee. Photographed by Steve Benbow. (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

A general press call for Doctors, companions and the waxwork was held on 17th March 1983 at a house in Denham (the location for Unit HQ), with photographer Steve Benbow taking pictures for Radio Times<\/strong>. The line-up included Nicholas Courtney (the Brigadier), Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith) and Carole Ann Ford (Susan).<\/p>\n

The RT<\/strong> cover itself in November 1983 was an illustration by Andrew Skilleter.<\/p>\n

\"Cover\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Cover illustration by Andrew Skilleter (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

1993 \u2013 the 30th anniversary<\/strong><\/h2>\n

By 1993, Doctor Who was very much a programme of the past, having been cancelled by the BBC nearly four years previously. Nevertheless, its 30th anniversary was still celebrated by a BBC1 documentary, 30 Years in the Tardis, and a Children in Need special in which the Time Lord crossed over with EastEnders.<\/p>\n

\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Tom Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Colin Baker, Jon Pertwee and Peter Davison in photoshoots for the Radio Times cover in 1993. Photographed by Mark Harrison. (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

With art director Mike Clowes supervising, Radio Times<\/strong> pulled together the five living Doctors (Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy) for a special photoshoot \u2013 or rather a series of shoots, because not all could attend at the same time. Thus, the special 1993 cover was a composite of pictures, photographed by RT<\/strong> regular Mark Harrison.<\/p>\n

\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The 1993 Radio Times Doctor Who cover and the original composite image (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

2003 \u2013 the 40th anniversary<\/strong><\/p>\n

By 2003, excitement was in the air for fans because it was known that Doctor Who would be returning as a series on BBC One. The Radio Times<\/strong> art editor at that time, Paul Smith, was geared up for the occasion. \u201cI\u2019ve always had a fondness for Doctor Who,\u201d he says in 2023. \u201cIt was part of my childhood. Troughton and Pertwee were very much my Doctors.\u201d In 1996, he\u2019d relished designing a 16-page RT special to mark the Paul McGann TV Movie<\/a>. \u201cThat definitely reignited my love of Doctor Who so I was massively keen to art-direct the 40th anniversary in 2003, my first Who covers \u2013 and what better way than to get the four surviving Doctors together for one special photoshoot!\u201d<\/p>\n

With the first three Doctors dead, that meant Davison, McCoy and the two Bakers. At the time, McGann\u2019s Doctor was perhaps considered to stand apart from the original canon. But marshalling those four Time Lords proved a logistical nightmare.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt had seemed like a good idea at the time!\u201d laughs Paul. \u201cBut they all had to be photographed at different times in several different studios. I wasn\u2019t even sure we were going to get all four Doctors so had to plan for only two or three. Although Sylvester McCoy and Colin Baker had agreed to our first shoot at Westway Studios in west London, Tom Baker was then living in France, and Peter Davison was busy with other commitments. But we secured Tom next, then at the 11th hour Peter made it a foursome to complete the set. It turned into a big production, shot over a number of weeks in three studios. Patricia Taylor, who was the RT<\/strong> picture editor, played a blinder pulling everything together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Snapshot of Peter Davison and RT\u2019s Paul Smith preparing for the Radio Times Doctor Who 40th anniversary shoot. (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Sylvester McCoy and Colin Baker wore pretty much their original Who costumes. Peter Davison was given a new light-coloured suit by Savile Row tailor Gary Anderson and a striped Paul Smith shirt.<\/p>\n

\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
A selection of shots of Peter Davison in the Radio Times Doctor Who 40th anniversary shoot. Photographed by Andy Earl. (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Whereas Tom Baker was reunited with his old friend June Hudson, a former BBC costume designer and Doctor Who legend, who created a whole new, lustrous outfit for him.<\/p>\n

\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
A selection of shots of Tom Baker in the Radio Times Doctor Who 40th anniversary shoot. Photographed by Andy Earl. (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

When it came to the shoot, two Radio Times<\/strong> staff were drafted in for additional duties \u2013 to play monsters. The first being the picture desk\u2019s Roger Dixon, who dressed up as a Sea Devil.<\/p>\n

\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
RT\u2019s Roger Dixon becoming a Sea Devil, aided by Colin Baker, during preparations for the Radio Times Doctor Who 40th anniversary shoot. (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Secondly, RT<\/strong> writer and lifelong fan Mark Braxton found himself on set in multiple roles. \u201cThey needed someone to \u2018play\u2019 a Cyberman,\u201d says Mark. \u201cI stepped in, as I was there to do interviews anyway.\u201d\u00a0It wasn\u2019t the most comfortable assignment. \u201cIt was incredibly hot under the lights, but it enabled me to have some fun chats with Sylvester McCoy, who was patient, kind and friendly for the duration. Because my eyesight was restricted behind the mask, he helped me on and off the \u2018boulder\u2019-strewn set, the way someone would help an elderly relative with mobility issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Snapshots of Sylvester McCoy waiting on set during the Radio Times Doctor Who 40th anniversary shoot, with RT\u2019s Mark Braxton as a Cyberman. (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

With various monsters, K\u20229 and the police box on hand, Paul Smith cleverly planned four collectable covers that could be laid side by side to form one continuous image. \u201cThey were shot in a way that they would work in different combinations, but always make a panorama. Working with photographer Andy Earl was a joy. He\u2019d worked on big, complicated shoots for the likes of Pink Floyd and Duran Duran, so was the epitome of calm.<\/p>\n

\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Radio Times art editor Paul Smith and photographer Andy Earl discussing the Doctor Who 40th anniversary shoot. (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

\u201cThe Doctors were all perfect gents,\u201d continues Paul. \u201cWhen we asked Sylvester to whack a Cyberman [Mark] with his brolly, he gently told us the Doctor didn\u2019t like violence and would use his mind to outwit his foe. Wrists slapped! I do remember him walking off a happy man with one of the six-inch Daleks we had there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Sylvester McCoy has make-up applied for the Radio Times Doctor Who 40th anniversary shoot. (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

For Paul, it was another important step in RT\u2019s<\/strong> long association with Doctor Who, honouring the efforts of David Driver 30 years earlier but also looking to the future. \u201cRT has always had a strong relationship with the programme, and we\u2019ve always endeavoured to go that extra mile to come up with imaginative and innovative covers. We don\u2019t just put out a publicity shot with no real in-depth content inside. The covers were well supported with a 16-page pull-out collectors\u2019 supplement.<\/p>\n

\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The four collectable Radio Times covers for Doctor Who\u2019s 40th anniversary (\u00a9 Radio Times Archive)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

\u201cThe 30th anniversary issue was a huge success, the biggest selling of the year, putting on well over 50,000 extra sales.\u201d<\/p>\n

2013 \u2013 the 50th anniversary<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For Doctor Who\u2019s half-century, timed with The Day of the Doctor<\/a>, there would be no fresh photoshoot. Nevertheless, Paul Smith took on the extraordinary challenge of creating 12 collectable covers, one for each Doctor \u2013 including the mysterious War Doctor played by John Hurt. \u201cThe idea to make individual covers that formed one panoramic picture when put together was a theme I returned to for the 50th anniversary, but on an even bigger scale.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many of these were comprised of images from the Radio Times<\/strong> Archive stretching back across the decades, depicting all 12 Doctors backed by an assortment of their most fearsome foes. Again, this set was highly collectable \u2013 with some covers proving harder to find than others in shops around the UK.<\/p>\n

\"RT\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The 12 collectable Radio Times covers for Doctor Who\u2019s 50th anniversary<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

For the curious and completist, the William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton portraits hailed from 1972; Jon Pertwee from 1969; Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy all from 1993; Paul McGann from 1996; Christopher Eccleston from 2005; David Tennant from 2008; Matt Smith and John Hurt from 2013.<\/p>\n

2023 \u2013 the 60th anniversary<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For this year\u2019s huge anniversary, expect no new multi-Doctor extravaganza. Radio Times<\/strong> magazine and RadioTimes.com<\/a> have found fabulous new ways to celebrate the on-going legend\u2026<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n