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| Angels of death... related to robots of death? |
First broadcast Dec 25 2007
Average audience for story: 13.31m
REGULAR CAST
David Tennant (The Doctor) Born Apr 18 1971 Click here for David Tennant's entry on The Parting of the Ways
GUEST CAST
Ewan Bailey (Alien voice) Born Feb 8 1966
Career highlights
Debuted in Soldier Soldier (1993), then Princess Caraboo (1994), Fist of Fun (1995), Judge Dredd (1995), Bugs (1996), Game On (1998), Smack the Pony (2000), Judge John Deed (2005), Funland (2005), Rome (2005), Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! (2006), Hyperdrive (2006-07), Honest (2008), Silent Witness (2012), Dude, That's My Ghost! (2013), Babylon (2014), Brotherhood (2015), Sexy Murder (2016), The Death of Stalin (2017), The Haunting of M R James (2018), Flack (2020) and The Sister (2020).
Facts
Ewan's father Bruce Thomson played rugby union for Scotland and Oxford in the 1950s.
Ewan Bailey (Alien voice) Born Feb 8 1966
Career highlights
Debuted in Soldier Soldier (1993), then Princess Caraboo (1994), Fist of Fun (1995), Judge Dredd (1995), Bugs (1996), Game On (1998), Smack the Pony (2000), Judge John Deed (2005), Funland (2005), Rome (2005), Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! (2006), Hyperdrive (2006-07), Honest (2008), Silent Witness (2012), Dude, That's My Ghost! (2013), Babylon (2014), Brotherhood (2015), Sexy Murder (2016), The Death of Stalin (2017), The Haunting of M R James (2018), Flack (2020) and The Sister (2020).
Facts
Ewan's father Bruce Thomson played rugby union for Scotland and Oxford in the 1950s.
Debbie Chazen (Foon Van Hoff) Born Sep 1 1971
Career highlights
Debuted in The Lakes (1997), then Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1998), Killer Net (1998), Topsy-Turvy (1999), Gimme Gimme Gimme (2001), Grass (2003), Mine All Mine (2004), Murder in Suburbia (2005), Doc Martin (2007), Tittybangbang (2005-07), Psychoville (2009), We Are Klang (2009), Coronation Street (2010-11), Trollied (2013), The Spa (2013), Sherlock (2014), Asylum (2015), Agatha Raisin (2016), Red Joan (2018), Holby City (2014-19), Avenue 5 (2020) and The Last Kingdom (2018-20). She played Meredia in Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married (1999-2000) and Annie ("are you OK?") in sitcom The Smoking Room (2004-05).
Facts
Debbie - whose father Arnold was also an actor and appeared in the 1967 Doctor Who story The Moonbase - speaks five languages: English, Russian, French, Spanish and German. She lost 10 stone in weight in a matter of 11 months on the Lighter Life diet. In 2009, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and wrote a weekly diary of her struggle with the disease for the Independent Magazine entitled Making the Breast of Things. Her partner is the psychic medium and Tarot reader Michael Korel, the resident psychic at London clubs Chinawhites and Soho House.
In 2014 Toby Hadoke released his Who's Round interview with Debbie here.
George Costigan (Max Capricorn) Born Aug 8 1947
Career highlights
George debuted in Jenny Can't Work Any Faster (1975), followed by Pickersgill People (1978), Fame is the Spur (1982), Widows (1983), Connie (1985), Rita, Sue and Bob Too (1987), The Beiderbecke Connection (1988), Shirley Valentine (1989), Chimera (1991), The Riff Raff Element (1993), The Hawk (1993), Kavanagh QC (1995), Girls' Night (1998), Badger (1999), City Central (2000), Holby City (2001), Dinotopia (2002), Calendar Girls (2003), The Long Firm (2004), The Royal (2007), A Touch of Frost (2010), Homefront (2012), The Great Train Robbery (2013), Happy Valley (2014-16), The Secret Agent (2016), Gentleman Jack (2019) and Line of Duty (2016/21). George also had recurring roles as Peter Rokeby in sitcom So Haunt Me (1992-94) and Charlie Haynes in soap Emmerdale (2010). In 1990, he wrote an episode of the sitcom Birds of a Feather.
Facts
His wife is the writer Julia North. He wrote his first novel, The Single Soldier, in 2017.
Bernard Cribbins (Wilfred Mott) Dec 29 1928 to Jul 27 2022
Doctor Who credits
Played: Tom Campbell in Daleks Invasion Earth 2150 AD (1966)
Played: Wilf Mott in Voyage of the Damned (2007), Partners in Crime (2008), The Sontaran Stratagem/ The Poison Sky (2008), Turn Left (2008), The Stolen Earth/ Journey's End (2008), The End of Time (2009-10), Wild Blue Yonder (2023)
Career highlights
Bernard was one of the most recognisable and well-loved faces on British TV and film of the last 60 years. He made his screen acting debut in The Black Tulip (1956), then took roles in David Copperfield (1956), Make Mine a Million (1959), Two Way Stretch (1960), The Army Game (1960), The World of Suzie Wong (1960), The Wrong Arm of the Law (1963), The Mouse on the Moon (1963), Carry On Jack (1963), Carry On Spying (1964), Crooks in Cloisters (1964), She (1965), The Sandwich Man (1966), Casino Royale (1967), The Avengers (1966/68), It's Tommy Cooper (1970), Cribbins (1969-70), The Railway Children (1970), Frenzy (1972), Fawlty Towers (1975), Space 1999 (1976), The Water Babies (1978), The Plank (1979), Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective (1981), Shillingbury Tales (1981), Worzel Gummidge (1981), Cuffy (1983), Alice in Wonderland (1985), Langley Bottom (1986), High and Dry (1987), Super Gran (1987), Carry On Columbus (1992), Last of the Summer Wine (2003), Blackball (2003), Coronation Street (2003), Down to Earth (2005), Midsomer Murders (2014), New Tricks (2015), A Midsummer Night's Dream (2016) and Patrick (2018). He also regularly played the title character in the children's series Old Jack's Boat (2013-15). Bernard's voice is also well known thanks to narration duties on The Wombles (1973-75), Moschops (1983), Edward and Friends (1987) and Bertie the Bat (1990). He was also a prolific and popular host on children's storytelling series Jackanory (1966-70/74/79/91).
Doctor Who credits
Played: Tom Campbell in Daleks Invasion Earth 2150 AD (1966)
Played: Wilf Mott in Voyage of the Damned (2007), Partners in Crime (2008), The Sontaran Stratagem/ The Poison Sky (2008), Turn Left (2008), The Stolen Earth/ Journey's End (2008), The End of Time (2009-10), Wild Blue Yonder (2023)
Career highlights
Bernard was one of the most recognisable and well-loved faces on British TV and film of the last 60 years. He made his screen acting debut in The Black Tulip (1956), then took roles in David Copperfield (1956), Make Mine a Million (1959), Two Way Stretch (1960), The Army Game (1960), The World of Suzie Wong (1960), The Wrong Arm of the Law (1963), The Mouse on the Moon (1963), Carry On Jack (1963), Carry On Spying (1964), Crooks in Cloisters (1964), She (1965), The Sandwich Man (1966), Casino Royale (1967), The Avengers (1966/68), It's Tommy Cooper (1970), Cribbins (1969-70), The Railway Children (1970), Frenzy (1972), Fawlty Towers (1975), Space 1999 (1976), The Water Babies (1978), The Plank (1979), Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective (1981), Shillingbury Tales (1981), Worzel Gummidge (1981), Cuffy (1983), Alice in Wonderland (1985), Langley Bottom (1986), High and Dry (1987), Super Gran (1987), Carry On Columbus (1992), Last of the Summer Wine (2003), Blackball (2003), Coronation Street (2003), Down to Earth (2005), Midsomer Murders (2014), New Tricks (2015), A Midsummer Night's Dream (2016) and Patrick (2018). He also regularly played the title character in the children's series Old Jack's Boat (2013-15). Bernard's voice is also well known thanks to narration duties on The Wombles (1973-75), Moschops (1983), Edward and Friends (1987) and Bertie the Bat (1990). He was also a prolific and popular host on children's storytelling series Jackanory (1966-70/74/79/91).
Awards
2009: British Academy Special Children's Award
2011: Officer of the order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to drama
Facts
As well as narrating children's favourites, Bernard's voice may also be remembered as that of Buzby in TV commercials for British Telecom in the 1970s and 80s, as well as the narrator on the BBC's public safety films of the 1970s featuring Tufty the squirrel. His voice has also been used for singing too - he enjoyed a brief pop career in 1962 with the singles The Hole in the Ground (which peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart), Right Said Fred (number 10) and Gossip Calypso (number 25; all songs were produced by the Beatles' producer George Martin). In 2009, Bernard was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but overcame the disease.
This is Your Life: Bernard was the subject of Thames TV's This is Your Life on February 25th, 1981, surprised by host Eamonn Andrews dressed as a Womble in central London. Fellow Doctor Who actor Dinah Sheridan was a guest on the show.
Facts
As well as narrating children's favourites, Bernard's voice may also be remembered as that of Buzby in TV commercials for British Telecom in the 1970s and 80s, as well as the narrator on the BBC's public safety films of the 1970s featuring Tufty the squirrel. His voice has also been used for singing too - he enjoyed a brief pop career in 1962 with the singles The Hole in the Ground (which peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart), Right Said Fred (number 10) and Gossip Calypso (number 25; all songs were produced by the Beatles' producer George Martin). In 2009, Bernard was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but overcame the disease.
This is Your Life: Bernard was the subject of Thames TV's This is Your Life on February 25th, 1981, surprised by host Eamonn Andrews dressed as a Womble in central London. Fellow Doctor Who actor Dinah Sheridan was a guest on the show.
Stefan Davis (Kitchen hand) Born 1986
Career highlights
Other work includes The Bill (2009), Doctors (2009), Abusing Protocol (2015), The 7th Day (2017) and The Tale of the Fatherless (2021). Stefan has also appeared in, wrote, directed, edited and composed for his own short film, Relentless (2015), and since 2020 has been a regular assistant director on daytime soap Doctors.
Facts
Here he is on Twitter.
Career highlights
Other work includes The Bill (2009), Doctors (2009), Abusing Protocol (2015), The 7th Day (2017) and The Tale of the Fatherless (2021). Stefan has also appeared in, wrote, directed, edited and composed for his own short film, Relentless (2015), and since 2020 has been a regular assistant director on daytime soap Doctors.
Facts
Here he is on Twitter.
Andrew Havill (Chief steward) Born Jun 1 1965
Career highlights
Andrew debuted in Soldier Soldier (1993), then Restoration (1995), Wilde (1997), Titanic Town (1998), The Ghost Hunter (2000), Nicholas Nickleby (2002), Island at War (2004), Hustle (2005), Silent Witness (2006), Spooks (2009), The King's Speech (2010), The Awakening (2011), The Iron Lady (2011), Sherlock (2012), Hyde Park on Hudson (2012), Cloud Atlas (2012), Lightfields (2013), The Imitation Game (2014), The Carer (2015), Dad's Army (2016), Vera (2017), Victoria (2017), The Frankenstein Chronicles (2015/17), The King (2019), Downton Abbey (2019), Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) and The Nevers (2021).
Paul Kasey (The Host) Born Aug 5 1973 Click here for Paul Kasey's entry on Rose
Bruce Lawrence (Engineer) Born c.1975
Career highlights
Canadian Bruce debuted in Band of Brothers (2001), then took roles in Bloody Sunday (2002), About a Boy (2002), Quality Indigo (2005), Bare Naked Talent (2005), Sisters Grimm (2009), Stag Night of the Dead (2010), Survivor (2015), Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015), The Watcher Self (2016) and Midsomer Murders (2017). Bruce, who until 2002 went under the name Bruce Alexander, also works as a motion capture artist, most notably as the character of Captain Black for the 2005 animated series Captain Scarlet.
Facts
Before becoming an actor, Bruce was in the Royal Marines for five years. He also works as a personal trainer.
Career highlights
Canadian Bruce debuted in Band of Brothers (2001), then took roles in Bloody Sunday (2002), About a Boy (2002), Quality Indigo (2005), Bare Naked Talent (2005), Sisters Grimm (2009), Stag Night of the Dead (2010), Survivor (2015), Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015), The Watcher Self (2016) and Midsomer Murders (2017). Bruce, who until 2002 went under the name Bruce Alexander, also works as a motion capture artist, most notably as the character of Captain Black for the 2005 animated series Captain Scarlet.
Facts
Before becoming an actor, Bruce was in the Royal Marines for five years. He also works as a personal trainer.
Colin McFarlane (Alien voice) Born Sep 15 1961
Doctor Who credits
Played: Alien voice in Voyage of the Damned (2007)
Played: General Pierce in Torchwood: Children of Earth (2009)
Played: Moran in Under the Lake/ Before the Flood (2015)
Career highlights
Debuted as Detective Sergeant Watson in Dempsey and Makepeace (1985), then Bust (1988), Sean's Show (1992), In Dreams (1992), Class Act (1995), The Thin Blue Line (1996), Dennis the Menace (1996-98, as the voice of Sergeant Slipper), Ted and Ralph (1998), Black Books (2000), The Fast Show (1994-2000), Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (2001), Strange (2003), As If (2004), Batman Begins (2005), Judge John Deed (2002-03/05/06), MI High (2008), The Dark Knight (2008), Parents of the Band (2008-09), Hounded (2010), Reggie Perrin (2010), Dirk Gently (2012), Plebs (2014), Death in Paradise (2015), Olympus (2015), Father Brown (2016), Hooten and the Lady (2016), The Rebel (2017), Patient Zero (2018), Industry (2020), Offering to the Storm (2020), Queens of Mystery (2021) and Not Going Out (2022). He also gave voice to the Cube in the UK Saturday night game show of the same name (2009-21), and has often been the commentating voice for the National Television Awards. Colin is a prolific voice artiste, providing the voice of Thadius Vent and Tank in Oscar's Orchestra (1995), Sergeant Slipper in Dennis the Menace (1996-98), JJ in Bob the Builder (2001-05), Sparkie the dragon in Mike the Knight (2011-13), Belly-Up in Zack and Quack (2013-14), Harrison in Chuggington (2008-15), various in Thomas and Friends (2017-20) and numerous in Little Princess (2006-20). Colin also regularly played Ulysses in the series Outlander (2018-20).
Doctor Who credits
Played: Alien voice in Voyage of the Damned (2007)
Played: General Pierce in Torchwood: Children of Earth (2009)
Played: Moran in Under the Lake/ Before the Flood (2015)
Career highlights
Debuted as Detective Sergeant Watson in Dempsey and Makepeace (1985), then Bust (1988), Sean's Show (1992), In Dreams (1992), Class Act (1995), The Thin Blue Line (1996), Dennis the Menace (1996-98, as the voice of Sergeant Slipper), Ted and Ralph (1998), Black Books (2000), The Fast Show (1994-2000), Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (2001), Strange (2003), As If (2004), Batman Begins (2005), Judge John Deed (2002-03/05/06), MI High (2008), The Dark Knight (2008), Parents of the Band (2008-09), Hounded (2010), Reggie Perrin (2010), Dirk Gently (2012), Plebs (2014), Death in Paradise (2015), Olympus (2015), Father Brown (2016), Hooten and the Lady (2016), The Rebel (2017), Patient Zero (2018), Industry (2020), Offering to the Storm (2020), Queens of Mystery (2021) and Not Going Out (2022). He also gave voice to the Cube in the UK Saturday night game show of the same name (2009-21), and has often been the commentating voice for the National Television Awards. Colin is a prolific voice artiste, providing the voice of Thadius Vent and Tank in Oscar's Orchestra (1995), Sergeant Slipper in Dennis the Menace (1996-98), JJ in Bob the Builder (2001-05), Sparkie the dragon in Mike the Knight (2011-13), Belly-Up in Zack and Quack (2013-14), Harrison in Chuggington (2008-15), various in Thomas and Friends (2017-20) and numerous in Little Princess (2006-20). Colin also regularly played Ulysses in the series Outlander (2018-20).
Jessica Martin (Voice of the Queen) Born Aug 25 1962
Doctor Who credits
Played: Mags in The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (1988-89)
Played: Voice of the Queen in Voyage of the Damned (2007)
Career highlights
Jessica is best known as an impressionist (including mimicking Doctor Who's very own Bonnie Langford - see the linked list here), starting out on the Edinburgh Fringe circuit with fellow mimic Rory Bremner and then providing voices for Spitting Image (1985-88), and appearing on Copy Cats (1985-86), And There's More (1985), Bobby Davro on the Box (1986) and Bobby Davro's TV Weekly (1988). She also gave her voice to the 1988 animation PC Pinkerton, and her rare acting performances include The White Lady (1986) and Tonight at 8.30 (1991). She has also leant her vocal skills to video games such as Flight of the Amazon Queen (1995) and Dragon Quest VIII (2004). Jessica has also had considerable success on the musical stage in productions such as Me and My Girl, Mack and Mabel, Spamalot, South Pacific and Sunset Boulevard.
Facts
In recent years she has branched into the world of comic books, including It Girl about silent movie star Clara Bow, Vivacity about Vivien Leigh, and the graphic novel Elsie Harris Picture Palace.
Kylie Minogue (Astrid Peth) Born May 28 1968
Career highlights
Kylie is one of the most successful music artists to come out of Australia, and despite starting out as an actress, her recording career has far eclipsed her acting output. Her acting debut came aged eight as the original Carla in The Sullivans (1976), after which she appeared in Skyways (1979), The Zoo Family (1985), The Henderson Kids (1985), The Delinquents (1989), Street Fighter (1994), Bio-Dome (1996), Cut (2000), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Doogal (2006), Holy Motors (2012), Young and Hungry (2015), San Andreas (2015) and Galavant (2016). Her most memorable acting part was as Charlene Robinson in 342 episodes of Australian soap Neighbours (1986-88).
Kylie's musical career kicked off with a cover of The Loco-Motion in 1987, followed by the smash hit I Should Be So Lucky. Over the subsequent decades, Kylie has racked up seven UK number one singles (10 number ones in her Aussie homeland) and six UK number one albums. Worldwide, she has sold more than 70 million records.
Doctor Who credits
Played: Mags in The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (1988-89)
Played: Voice of the Queen in Voyage of the Damned (2007)
Career highlights
Jessica is best known as an impressionist (including mimicking Doctor Who's very own Bonnie Langford - see the linked list here), starting out on the Edinburgh Fringe circuit with fellow mimic Rory Bremner and then providing voices for Spitting Image (1985-88), and appearing on Copy Cats (1985-86), And There's More (1985), Bobby Davro on the Box (1986) and Bobby Davro's TV Weekly (1988). She also gave her voice to the 1988 animation PC Pinkerton, and her rare acting performances include The White Lady (1986) and Tonight at 8.30 (1991). She has also leant her vocal skills to video games such as Flight of the Amazon Queen (1995) and Dragon Quest VIII (2004). Jessica has also had considerable success on the musical stage in productions such as Me and My Girl, Mack and Mabel, Spamalot, South Pacific and Sunset Boulevard.
Facts
In recent years she has branched into the world of comic books, including It Girl about silent movie star Clara Bow, Vivacity about Vivien Leigh, and the graphic novel Elsie Harris Picture Palace.
Kylie Minogue (Astrid Peth) Born May 28 1968
Career highlights
Kylie is one of the most successful music artists to come out of Australia, and despite starting out as an actress, her recording career has far eclipsed her acting output. Her acting debut came aged eight as the original Carla in The Sullivans (1976), after which she appeared in Skyways (1979), The Zoo Family (1985), The Henderson Kids (1985), The Delinquents (1989), Street Fighter (1994), Bio-Dome (1996), Cut (2000), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Doogal (2006), Holy Motors (2012), Young and Hungry (2015), San Andreas (2015) and Galavant (2016). Her most memorable acting part was as Charlene Robinson in 342 episodes of Australian soap Neighbours (1986-88).
Kylie's musical career kicked off with a cover of The Loco-Motion in 1987, followed by the smash hit I Should Be So Lucky. Over the subsequent decades, Kylie has racked up seven UK number one singles (10 number ones in her Aussie homeland) and six UK number one albums. Worldwide, she has sold more than 70 million records.
Awards
1987: Logie Award for Most Popular Actress in Australia (Neighbours)
1988: Logie Award for Most Popular Actress in Australia (Neighbours)
1988: Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Television
1988: Logie Award for Most Popular Music Video (The Loco-Motion)
1988: Smash Hits Readers' Poll Award for Best Female Solo Singer
1989: Smash Hits Readers' Poll Award for Best Female Solo Singer
1990: Logie Award for Most Popular Music Video (Never Too Late)
1991: World Music Award for Best Selling Australian Artist of the Year
2001: Top of the Pops Award for Best Tour (On a Night Like This Tour)
2001: Top of the Pops Award for Best Single (Can't Get You Out of My Head)
2002: World Music Award for Best Selling Australian Artist of the Year
2002: Top of the Pops Award for Top Tour (KylieFever2002)
2002: MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography (Can't Get You Out of My Head)
2002: NME Award for Best Pop Act
2002: MTV Europe Music Award for Best Pop Act
2002: MTV Europe Music Award for Best Dance Act
2002: Brit Award for Best International Album (Fever)
2002: Brit Award for Best International Female
2004: Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording (Come into My World)
2007: Officer of the order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music
2008: Brit Award for International Female Solo Artist
2019: Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for services to entertainment and charity
2020: Guinness World Record for Most Consecutive Decades with Top Five Albums (UK, Female)
Facts
Kylie, who is hyperglycemic, battled breast cancer in 2005. She has been romantically linked to her Neighbours co-star Jason Donovan, INXS singer Michael Hutchence, actor Olivier Martinez, model Andres Velencoso and actor Joshua Sasse. She is 4ft 11in tall, and her first name means "boomerang" in the Aboriginal Noongar language. In a head-munching assault on Doctor Who continuity, Kylie was mentioned by name in the 2006 episode The Idiot's Lantern (and her 1989 song Never Too Late), before playing Astrid in the following year's Christmas special. This means the actress exists within the Doctor Who universe, so when she appears in Voyage of the Damned, does it mean Doctor Who becomes a fictional aspect of its own universe (recursive occlusion)?! Here's Kylie on Twitter.
Facts
Kylie, who is hyperglycemic, battled breast cancer in 2005. She has been romantically linked to her Neighbours co-star Jason Donovan, INXS singer Michael Hutchence, actor Olivier Martinez, model Andres Velencoso and actor Joshua Sasse. She is 4ft 11in tall, and her first name means "boomerang" in the Aboriginal Noongar language. In a head-munching assault on Doctor Who continuity, Kylie was mentioned by name in the 2006 episode The Idiot's Lantern (and her 1989 song Never Too Late), before playing Astrid in the following year's Christmas special. This means the actress exists within the Doctor Who universe, so when she appears in Voyage of the Damned, does it mean Doctor Who becomes a fictional aspect of its own universe (recursive occlusion)?! Here's Kylie on Twitter.
Jason Mohammad (Newsreader) Born Sep 17 1973
Doctor Who credits
Played: Newsreader in The Christmas Invasion (2005), The Sarah Jane Adventures: Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? (2007), The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Lost Boy (2007), Voyage of the Damned (2007), Turn Left (2008), The Stolen Earth (2008), The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Man Who Never Was (2011)
Career highlights
Jason joined the BBC in 1997 as a reporter for Wales Today, and stayed with BBC Wales as a presenter until 2013 when he became the host of Final Score on BBC1. He is also a snooker commentator for the Corporation, and has a weekday morning show on BBC Radio Wales.
Facts
Jason gets fan mail for his part in Doctor Who: "So many people ask me about my roles in Doctor Who. I get fan mail from all over the world - the best one was from a guy in New Zealand who said he thought I played the role of a newsreader so well that he thought I was a real newscaster!"
Doctor Who credits
Played: Newsreader in The Christmas Invasion (2005), The Sarah Jane Adventures: Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? (2007), The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Lost Boy (2007), Voyage of the Damned (2007), Turn Left (2008), The Stolen Earth (2008), The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Man Who Never Was (2011)
Career highlights
Jason joined the BBC in 1997 as a reporter for Wales Today, and stayed with BBC Wales as a presenter until 2013 when he became the host of Final Score on BBC1. He is also a snooker commentator for the Corporation, and has a weekday morning show on BBC Radio Wales.
Facts
Jason gets fan mail for his part in Doctor Who: "So many people ask me about my roles in Doctor Who. I get fan mail from all over the world - the best one was from a guy in New Zealand who said he thought I played the role of a newsreader so well that he thought I was a real newscaster!"
Gray O'Brien (Rickston Slade) Born Aug 11 1968
Career highlights
Like all good Scottish actors, Gray got his big break in an episode of detective series Taggart in 1993, after which he won the role of Richard McCaig in 48 episodes of medical series Casualty (1996-98). Subsequently he was cast as Dr Tom Deneley in 43 episodes of rural medical series Peak Practice (2000-02), then took roles in Cruise of the Gods (2002), The Queen (2006), Titanic: Blood and Steel (2012), The Daniel Connection (2015), The Wasting (2017), The Loch (2017) and Shakespeare & Hathaway (2018). However, he will be best remembered as Tony Gordon in more than 280 episodes of soap Coronation Street (2007-10).
Awards
2009: British Soap Award for Villain of the Year (Coronation Street)
Career highlights
Like all good Scottish actors, Gray got his big break in an episode of detective series Taggart in 1993, after which he won the role of Richard McCaig in 48 episodes of medical series Casualty (1996-98). Subsequently he was cast as Dr Tom Deneley in 43 episodes of rural medical series Peak Practice (2000-02), then took roles in Cruise of the Gods (2002), The Queen (2006), Titanic: Blood and Steel (2012), The Daniel Connection (2015), The Wasting (2017), The Loch (2017) and Shakespeare & Hathaway (2018). However, he will be best remembered as Tony Gordon in more than 280 episodes of soap Coronation Street (2007-10).
Awards
2009: British Soap Award for Villain of the Year (Coronation Street)
Facts
In 2019, Gray was diagnosed with stage 4 tonsil cancer. Gray appeared in early cast listings for the Doctor Who special Revolution of the Daleks, but did not subsequently appear.
Geoffrey Palmer (Captain Hardaker) Jun 4 1927 to Nov 5 2020
Doctor Who credits
Played: Masters in Doctor Who and the Silurians (1970)
Played: Administrator in The Mutants (1972)
Played: Captain Hardaker in Voyage of the Damned (2007)
Career highlights
Frighteningly prolific Geoffrey made his debut in St Ives in 1955, followed by roles in The Killing Stones (1958), Police Surgeon (1960), The Army Game (1959-60), The Odd Man (1960), Incident at Midnight (1963), Bootsie and Snudge (1960-63), The Saint (1963), The Baron (1966), Mrs Thursday (1967), Z Cars (1969), Now, Take My Wife (1971), Colditz (1972-73), Edward the Seventh (1975), Bill Brand (1976), The Sweeney (1978), Fawlty Towers (1979), Whoops Apocalypse (1982), Death of an Expert Witness (1983), Clockwise (1986), Executive Stress (1986), A Fish Called Wanda (1988), Blackadder Goes Forth (1989), The Madness of King George (1994), Mrs Brown (1997), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The Savages (2001), Stig of the Dump (2002), Dickens (2002), He Knew He Was Right (2004), Ashes to Ashes (2008), The Pink Panther 2 (2009), Lost Christmas (2011), Rev (2011), The Hollow Crown (2012), Parade's End (2012), Paddington (2014) and An Unquiet Life (2020). Geoffrey's curmudgeonly face will be best recognised for his recurring roles of Jimmy Anderson in the sitcoms The Fall and Rise and Reginald Perrin (1976-79) and its sequel The Legacy of Reginald Perrin (1996), Leo Bannister in The Last Song (1981-83), Ben in sitcom Butterflies (1978-83) and the 2000 reunion special, Major Harry Kitchener Wellington Truscott in Fairly Secret Army (1984-86), Harold Stringer in Hot Metal (1986/89) and Lionel Hardcastle in sitcom As Time Goes By (1992-2005).
Awards
2005: Officer of the order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to drama
Facts
In the 1980s Geoffrey was also known for his appearances in TV commercials for Scotch lamb ("Slam in the lamb"). Geoffrey's son is TV director Charles Palmer, who directed episodes of Doctor Who in 2007 and 2017. And there's another link to Doctor Who in that Charles's wife is actress Claire Skinner, who appeared in The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe in 2011. Geoffrey recites Walter Kauffman's translation of Nietzsche's The Birth of Tragedy on the introduction to the 12" Fruitness mix of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Welcome to the Pleasuredome (1985).
Clive Rowe (Morvin Van Hoff) Born Mar 27 1964
Career highlights
Debuted in After the War (1989), then Paper Mask (1990), Spatz (1991), Casualty (1993), Company (1996), Harry Hill (2000), The Honeytrap (2002), Doctors (2004), Manderlay (2005), All the Small Things (2009), Aunties (2013), The Kennedys (2015), Beauty and the Beast (2017) and Will (2017). He may be best recognised as Duke in children's series The Story of Tracy Beaker (2002-05), Mr Salford in So Awkward (2015-16) or Mayor Doyle in The Evermoor Chronicles (2014-17).
Career highlights
Debuted in After the War (1989), then Paper Mask (1990), Spatz (1991), Casualty (1993), Company (1996), Harry Hill (2000), The Honeytrap (2002), Doctors (2004), Manderlay (2005), All the Small Things (2009), Aunties (2013), The Kennedys (2015), Beauty and the Beast (2017) and Will (2017). He may be best recognised as Duke in children's series The Story of Tracy Beaker (2002-05), Mr Salford in So Awkward (2015-16) or Mayor Doyle in The Evermoor Chronicles (2014-17).
Awards
1997: Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Guys and Dolls)
Clive Swift (Mr Copper) Feb 9 1936 to Feb 1 2019
Doctor Who credits
Played: Jobel in Revelation of the Daleks (1985)
Played: Mr Copper in Voyage of the Damned (2007)
Career highlights
Clive was one of the UK's busiest actors, making his debut in Ondine (1961), then Love Story (1963), Dig This Rhubarb (1963), Having a Wild Weekend (1965), The Expert (1968), Dombey and Son (1969), Waugh on Crime (1970-71), The Stalls of Barchester (1971), Frenzy (1972), Dead of Night (1972), A Warning to the Curious (1972), The National Health (1973), Raw Meat (1973), South Riding (1974), The Brothers (1976), Clayhanger (1976), Nigel Kneale's Beasts (1976), 1990 (1978), Hazell (1979), The Nesbitts are Coming (1980), Excalibur (1981), The Barchester Chronicles (1982), A Passage to India (1984), The Pickwick Papers (1985), First Among Equals (1986), Les Girls (1988), The Return of Shelley (1990), Woof! (1994), Peak Practice (1998), The Old Guys (2009-10), Hustle (2011), Valentine's Kiss (2015), SunTrap (2015) and Midsomer Murders (2017). He had a regular role in Born and Bred as the Reverend Brewer (2002-05), but will always be remembered as Richard Bucket in sitcom Keeping Up Appearances (1990-95).
Facts
Between 1960-75 Clive was married to the British playwright and novelist Margaret Drabble. His brother was actor David Swift (best remembered as Henry Davenport in sitcom Drop the Dead Donkey), while his children include TV gardener Joe Swift, author and philosopher Adam Swift, and the late literary consultant Rebecca Swift. Clive's niece is actress Julia Swift (who is, incidentally, married to actor David Bamber, who also appeared in a Doctor Who story about a space-faring Earth vessel, Mummy on the Orient Express!). In 1978, Clive co-founded (with Sheila Hancock, William Hobbs and John Alderton) the Actors Centre, a meeting place in London for members of his profession.
Doctor Who credits
Played: Jobel in Revelation of the Daleks (1985)
Played: Mr Copper in Voyage of the Damned (2007)
Career highlights
Clive was one of the UK's busiest actors, making his debut in Ondine (1961), then Love Story (1963), Dig This Rhubarb (1963), Having a Wild Weekend (1965), The Expert (1968), Dombey and Son (1969), Waugh on Crime (1970-71), The Stalls of Barchester (1971), Frenzy (1972), Dead of Night (1972), A Warning to the Curious (1972), The National Health (1973), Raw Meat (1973), South Riding (1974), The Brothers (1976), Clayhanger (1976), Nigel Kneale's Beasts (1976), 1990 (1978), Hazell (1979), The Nesbitts are Coming (1980), Excalibur (1981), The Barchester Chronicles (1982), A Passage to India (1984), The Pickwick Papers (1985), First Among Equals (1986), Les Girls (1988), The Return of Shelley (1990), Woof! (1994), Peak Practice (1998), The Old Guys (2009-10), Hustle (2011), Valentine's Kiss (2015), SunTrap (2015) and Midsomer Murders (2017). He had a regular role in Born and Bred as the Reverend Brewer (2002-05), but will always be remembered as Richard Bucket in sitcom Keeping Up Appearances (1990-95).
Facts
Between 1960-75 Clive was married to the British playwright and novelist Margaret Drabble. His brother was actor David Swift (best remembered as Henry Davenport in sitcom Drop the Dead Donkey), while his children include TV gardener Joe Swift, author and philosopher Adam Swift, and the late literary consultant Rebecca Swift. Clive's niece is actress Julia Swift (who is, incidentally, married to actor David Bamber, who also appeared in a Doctor Who story about a space-faring Earth vessel, Mummy on the Orient Express!). In 1978, Clive co-founded (with Sheila Hancock, William Hobbs and John Alderton) the Actors Centre, a meeting place in London for members of his profession.
Russell Tovey (Midshipman Frame) Born Nov 14 1981
Doctor Who credits
Played: Midshipman Alonso Frame in Voyage of the Damned (2007), The End of Time Part Two (2010)
Narrated: Doctor Who Confidential (2010-11)
Career highlights
Russell's acting debut came aged 12 playing Bill in Mud (1994-95), followed by Look and Read: Spywatch (1996), The Mrs Bradley Mysteries (1998), Ultimate Force (2002), Servants (2003), My Family and Other Animals (2005), Annually Retentive (2007), Ashes to Ashes (2008), Little Dorrit (2008), Gavin and Stacey (2007-08), Mike the Knight (2011-12), Sherlock (2012), In Love with Wilde (2012), Tower Block (2012), What Remains (2013), Muppets Most Wanted (2014), Pride (2014), Blackwood (2014), Banished (2015), The Night Manager (2016), Queers (2017), The Flash (2017), DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2017), Years and Years (2019), Flesh and Blood (2020), The Understudy (2020) and The Sister (2020). His recurring roles include George Sands in Being Human (2008-12), Steve in Him & Her (2010-13), Karl Lyndhurst in The Job Lot (2013-15), Kevin Matheson in Looking (2014-16), Harry Doyle in Quantico (2016-18) and the title role in Shane the Chef (2018).
Awards
2012: Royal Television Society Award for Comedy Performance (Him & Her) - shared with Sarah Solemani
Facts
Russell, who is an avid collector of contemporary art, can be found on Twitter here.
Facts
Russell, who is an avid collector of contemporary art, can be found on Twitter here.
Jimmy Vee (Bannakaffalatta) Born Feb 3 1959
Doctor Who credits
Played: Moxx of Balhoon in The End of the World (2005)
Played: Alien [space pig] in Aliens of London/ World War Three (2005)
Played: Graske in Attack of the Graske (2005), The Sarah Jane Adventures: Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? (2007), Music of the Spheres (2008), The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith (2008), The End of Time (2009-10, uncredited)
Played: Slitheen in The Sarah Jane Adventures: Revenge of the Slitheen (2007), The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Lost Boy (2007), The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Gift (2009)
Played: Bannakaffalatta in Voyage of the Damned (2007)
Played: Groske in The Sarah Jane Adventures: Death of the Doctor (2010)
Played: Skovox Blitzer in The Caretaker (2014)
Career highlights
Jimmy's other work includes Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001), Weirdsister College (2001), Skins: Secret Party (2007), Kilt Man (2009), Pan (2015), Trust Me (2017), Train Set (2018) and Rocketman (2019). He also replaced the late Kenny Baker as operator of R2-D2 in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), and was a creature performer in the Star Wars film Solo (2018).
Facts
In 2014, former electrician Jimmy, who is 3ft 8in tall, landed a co-hosting role on the American version of Release the Hounds, alongside actor Eli Roth. Here he is on Twitter.
Doctor Who credits
Played: Moxx of Balhoon in The End of the World (2005)
Played: Alien [space pig] in Aliens of London/ World War Three (2005)
Played: Graske in Attack of the Graske (2005), The Sarah Jane Adventures: Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? (2007), Music of the Spheres (2008), The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith (2008), The End of Time (2009-10, uncredited)
Played: Slitheen in The Sarah Jane Adventures: Revenge of the Slitheen (2007), The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Lost Boy (2007), The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Gift (2009)
Played: Bannakaffalatta in Voyage of the Damned (2007)
Played: Groske in The Sarah Jane Adventures: Death of the Doctor (2010)
Played: Skovox Blitzer in The Caretaker (2014)
Career highlights
Jimmy's other work includes Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001), Weirdsister College (2001), Skins: Secret Party (2007), Kilt Man (2009), Pan (2015), Trust Me (2017), Train Set (2018) and Rocketman (2019). He also replaced the late Kenny Baker as operator of R2-D2 in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), and was a creature performer in the Star Wars film Solo (2018).
Facts
In 2014, former electrician Jimmy, who is 3ft 8in tall, landed a co-hosting role on the American version of Release the Hounds, alongside actor Eli Roth. Here he is on Twitter.
Nicholas Witchell (Nicholas Witchell) Born Sep 23 1953
Career highlights
Nicholas is a prominent journalist and newsreader who started his career with the BBC in 1976 and became one of the first two newsreaders on the Six O'Clock News in 1984. In 1989 he transferred to the breakfast news, and in 1998 became the BBC's royal and diplomatic correspondent.
Facts
In 1974, Nicholas wrote the book The Loch Ness Story, chronicling sightings of the alleged monster through history (the timing of the book's publication sadly means the Skarasen sightings of the 1970s are omitted). Nicholas's time as royal correspondent has not gone without its hitches: his 2002 obituary of the Queen's sister Princess Margaret was not well received at Buckingham Palace, while in 2005, after Nicholas asked the Prince of Wales how he was feeling about his forthcoming marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles, Charles was reported in tabloids to have referred to the journalist as an "awful man".
CREW
Russell T Davies (writer) Born Apr 27 1963 Click here for Russell T Davies' entry on Rose
Phil Collinson (producer) Born Aug 26 1970 Click here for Phil Collinson's entry on Rose
Brian Minchin (script editor) Born Aug 5 1978
Doctor Who credits
Script edited: Torchwood Series 1 (2006-07), Time Crash (2007), Voyage of the Damned (2007), The Fires of Pompeii (2008), Turn Left (2008), The Beast Below (2010), Victory of the Daleks (2010), The Vampires of Venice (2010), Amy's Choice (2010), Vincent and the Doctor (2010)
Career highlights
Nicholas is a prominent journalist and newsreader who started his career with the BBC in 1976 and became one of the first two newsreaders on the Six O'Clock News in 1984. In 1989 he transferred to the breakfast news, and in 1998 became the BBC's royal and diplomatic correspondent.
Facts
In 1974, Nicholas wrote the book The Loch Ness Story, chronicling sightings of the alleged monster through history (the timing of the book's publication sadly means the Skarasen sightings of the 1970s are omitted). Nicholas's time as royal correspondent has not gone without its hitches: his 2002 obituary of the Queen's sister Princess Margaret was not well received at Buckingham Palace, while in 2005, after Nicholas asked the Prince of Wales how he was feeling about his forthcoming marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles, Charles was reported in tabloids to have referred to the journalist as an "awful man".
CREW
Russell T Davies (writer) Born Apr 27 1963 Click here for Russell T Davies' entry on Rose
James Strong (director)
Doctor Who credits
Directed: The Impossible Planet/ The Satan Pit (2006), Torchwood: Cyberwoman (2006), Torchwood: They Keep Killing Suzie (2006), Daleks in Manhattan/ Evolution of the Daleks (2007), Voyage of the Damned (2007), Partners in Crime (2008), Planet of the Dead (2009)
Career highlights
James's first directing work came with The Clothes Show in the late 1990s, after which he moved into drama on series such as Doctors (2000-01), Mile High (2003), Casualty (2004), Holby City (2002-05), Rocket Man (2005), Bonekickers (2008), Monty Python in Aberystwyth (2009), Silent Witness (2011), United (2011), Downton Abbey (2011), Hunted (2012), Gracepoint (2014), Broadchurch (2013-15), Code of a Killer (2015), 11.22.63 (2016), Vanity Fair (2018), Liar (2017-20) and Vigil (2021). He has also worked as a producer on productions such as Gracepoint, Broadchurch, Vanity Fair, Liar and Vigil.
Doctor Who credits
Directed: The Impossible Planet/ The Satan Pit (2006), Torchwood: Cyberwoman (2006), Torchwood: They Keep Killing Suzie (2006), Daleks in Manhattan/ Evolution of the Daleks (2007), Voyage of the Damned (2007), Partners in Crime (2008), Planet of the Dead (2009)
Career highlights
James's first directing work came with The Clothes Show in the late 1990s, after which he moved into drama on series such as Doctors (2000-01), Mile High (2003), Casualty (2004), Holby City (2002-05), Rocket Man (2005), Bonekickers (2008), Monty Python in Aberystwyth (2009), Silent Witness (2011), United (2011), Downton Abbey (2011), Hunted (2012), Gracepoint (2014), Broadchurch (2013-15), Code of a Killer (2015), 11.22.63 (2016), Vanity Fair (2018), Liar (2017-20) and Vigil (2021). He has also worked as a producer on productions such as Gracepoint, Broadchurch, Vanity Fair, Liar and Vigil.
Awards
Phil Collinson (producer) Born Aug 26 1970 Click here for Phil Collinson's entry on Rose
Brian Minchin (script editor) Born Aug 5 1978
Doctor Who credits
Script edited: Torchwood Series 1 (2006-07), Time Crash (2007), Voyage of the Damned (2007), The Fires of Pompeii (2008), Turn Left (2008), The Beast Below (2010), Victory of the Daleks (2010), The Vampires of Venice (2010), Amy's Choice (2010), Vincent and the Doctor (2010)
Assistant producer: Torchwood: Children of Earth (2009)
Produced: The Sarah Jane Adventures: From Raxacoricofallapatorius with Love (2009), The Sarah Jane Adventures Series 4 (2010), Torchwood: Miracle Day episodes 1, 3-6 & 8-9 (2011)
Executive producer: The Time of the Doctor (2013), Series 8-10 (2014-17), Class Series 1 (2016), Twice Upon a Time (2017)
Career highlights
Brian also script edited Stick or Twist (2006) and Belonging (2009), and was a producer on Dirk Gently (2012), Wizards vs Aliens (2012-13) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (2016).
Facts
Brian, who wrote a Doctor Who novel called The Forgotten Army in 2010, is married to Doctor Who script editor Lindsey Alford.
Brian also script edited Stick or Twist (2006) and Belonging (2009), and was a producer on Dirk Gently (2012), Wizards vs Aliens (2012-13) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (2016).
Facts
Brian, who wrote a Doctor Who novel called The Forgotten Army in 2010, is married to Doctor Who script editor Lindsey Alford.
