Russell played Ian Chesterton, one of the Doctor’s first ever companions. <\/p>
Tributes have flooded in following the news of William Russell\u2019s death, with the world of Doctor Who<\/a> paying tribute to the actor who famously played companion Ian Chesterton.<\/p>\n One of those paying tribute to the fan favourite, who died at the age of 99<\/a> on 3rd June 2024, was Russell T Davies, Doctor Who\u2019s current showrunner.<\/p>\n In a heartfelt post on Instagram<\/a>, Davies said: \u201cWhat a sad loss, William played the Doctor\u2019s very first companion, Ian Chesterton, back in 1963.<\/p>\n \u201cA schoolteacher, trapped on the TARDIS by a wily old Doctor, unable to get home, whisked off to the Stone Age, Skaro, the Crusades, planet of the Zarbi\u2026 Wonderful!<\/p>\n \u201cA fine, nimble, witty, heartfelt actor who absolutely sold the truth of those early years. Before that, he\u2019d been Sir Lancelot on the BBC; it\u2019s often undersold what a star booking he was for Doctor Who. He later went on to marry Rita Fairclough as Ted Sullivan on Coronation Street.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the photo, I bumped into him on a train in 2018! I was star-struck! He spoke with so much pride and joy about his son, Alfred Enoch, who I\u2019d seen in King Lear at the Royal Exchange. Absolutely lovely man. A fine, long life. Well done, sir, well played.\u201d<\/p>\n Message from Sylvester\u2026RIP William Russel. We lived near each other and I\u2019d bump into him. He always gave me a beautiful generous smile of welcome.