Sylvester McCoy (played the Seventh Doctor, 1987 onwards)
The thing that moved me the most was a scene in Remembrance of the Daleks. My Doctor is sitting in a cafe, struggling with a decision. He is discussing his problem with the cafe employee, played by Joseph Marcell. The scene, touchingly written by Ben Aaronovitch, touches on slavery and the ripple effects of a cube of sugar. It made me grateful to have gone on the Tardis!
Annette Badland (played Margaret Blaine, AKA Blon Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen, 2005)
Russell T Davies (my “Master”, he calls me “Dame Bad”) wrote Boom Town for me after Chris Eccleston and I played a strong scene together in World War Three. Margaret Blaine was the first character to take the Doctor to task for his moral behaviour. Near the end of the episode, she looks into the heart of the Tardis and is transformed into an egg (with a fetching hairdo) and thanks the Doctor. That showed the possibility of regeneration, reincarnation, redemption. How often humans hope and wish for this. I’m tingling and getting tearful as I tell you.
Sacha Dhawan (played Waris Hussein in An Adventure in Space and Time, and later the Master, 2020-2022)
On my last day of filming I hung up my costume, said my goodbyes, and just as I was about to leave, I felt a sudden urge to head back to the studio. I quietly made my way into the Tardis itself. It never fails to take your breath away. It was so quiet, eerie even. That’s when it hit me that I was no longer recreating history as I had done as Waris. I was now part of it.
Murray Gold (composer, 2005 onwards)
Once upon a time at Portchester Northern County Junior School, my best friend was Gavin Fuller. We talked endlessly about Doctor Who. Gavin went on to win Mastermind, answering questions about the show, and to write about Doctor Who for The Telegraph. I ended up being a composer on many episodes. There were concerts of my music at the Albert Hall, Wembley, the Sydney Opera House and many other venues, all with music inspired by this gifted time-travelling eccentric. If there was ever a show I would wish to be tethered to for all time, Doctor Who is that show. Happy birthday, you raggedy old, young thing.
Katy Manning (played Jo Grant, companion to the Third Doctor, 1971 onwards)
One day I was asked to meet the incredible show-changing twosome Barry Letts and Terrance Dicks. After getting utterly lost in the labyrinth of corridors at the BBC, rather late and hiding myopically behind impossibly thick glasses, I was asked if I would like to play Jo Grant. “Oh, yes please!” With that tiny phone call a huge part of my life was immeasurably enriched, filled with adventure, and changed for ever. Jon Pertwee and I bonded instantly, we became such close friends and he was a wonderful mentor, teaching me so much about the business.
Jacqueline King (played Sylvia Noble, 2006-2023)
The delight of being cast in The Runaway Bride was immense, quickly followed by the surprise and joy of Catherine Tate wanting to do a whole series. And I got to go with her! Then the news that we were back together for the specials. The Noble family reunited, after 12 years! That was moving, I can tell you.
Ingrid Oliver (played Osgood, Unit scientist, 2013-2015)
Is it cheesy to say the fans? Or Whovians, as they’re officially known? They are what have moved me most about being a part of the show. Playing Osgood has allowed me to travel the world meeting people at conventions for whom the show is a hugely important part of their lives. To see people dressed up as my character – men and women, old and young, from all walks of life – is such an extraordinary thing. So that, and swapping wine tips with John Hurt on the 50th anniversary episode.
Michael Troughton (son and biographer of Patrick Troughton)
I couldn’t believe it when I sat in front of my flickering Cossor television set and watched Bill Hartnell’s rather tired face rejuvenated into my dad, Patrick Troughton. A mixture of pride, excitement and trepidation filled me. If it hadn’t been for Pat’s skill as a brilliant character actor and his enthusiastic professionalism, I think the series could have folded and spiralled into oblivion, and what a dreadful loss that would have been. I am very proud to think that my dad and his “transmubobulation” from Hartnell’s Who was the foundation stone for this amazing journey. Long may it continue.
Phil Collinson (producer, 2005-2008, 2023 onwards)
The arrival of Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith in the Jon Pertwee story The Time Warrior. Lis embodied something completely unique and special. As a little boy watching at the time she had the ability to reach out of the TV and hold your hand, to help you navigate the scares of every adventure. Brave, and yet vulnerable, a completely human antidote to the Doctor’s sometimes scary intensity. She paved the way for all the wonderful companions who have followed.
Ben Aaronovitch (writer of episodes featuring the Seventh Doctor, 1988-1989)
My first real memory of a complete story is The Green Death, and my favourite memory is of this large slug sneaking up on Jo Grant. I was literally watching it from behind the sofa. From working on the show, I remember that the anti-terrorist squad in Remembrance of the Daleks was scrambled to Waterloo station because we’d blown a great big hole in it. I used to have a photo of a group of Daleks with fire engines coming down and stopping and looking at the road blocked by a group of Daleks. God knows what they thought!
Greg Austin (played Charlie Smith in Class, 2016)
One of the moments that kindled my desire to act came from Vincent and the Doctor. I knew very little of the show at that point, and I remember my Whovian friend queueing it up to introduce me to the universe. The emotional culmination of that episode moved me in a way that resonates deeply within me still to this day, when the Doctor shows Vincent van Gogh the impact he’s had, that he is admired and adored beyond his time. The simplicity of that scene made me know I wanted to be an actor. For that I’ll be forever grateful.
Julie Gardner (producer, 2005 onwards)
A greatest moment? Meeting my husband, Billie Piper, Kylie Minogue, [Torchwood episode] Day One 2004 filming with a man in a prosthetic pretending to be a space pig, the Proms, the Bafta for best series … There’s been so much laughter, love and hard work along the way. There have also been dark times, including a very gloomy late-night curry in the BBC Llandaff canteen when it all seemed hopeless. But what do I remember most? My car journeys with Russell T Davies. The two of us in my Mini Cooper, his head touching the ceiling. The conversations were everything: furious, frantic and raw. Some of those conversations changed my life.
