Elisabeth Sladen

Next on my list of celebrity autographs is a special one, Elisabeth Sladen.


From 1973 to 1976, Liz Sladen appeared as Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who, alongside both the Third Doctor Jon Pertwee and the Fourth Doctor Tom Baker. Regarded by many as the Doctor's greatest companion, she was on hand to witness his adventures against the Sontarans (twice), the Daleks (twice) and the Cybermen (once). She also starred in many other great episodes, such as Planet of the Spiders, Robot, and The Seeds of Doom.



After leaving the show in 76, she appeared in a spin-off pilot K-9 And Company (which wasn't picked up as a series), and returned to the show for The Five Doctors, Doctor Who's 20th Anniversary in 1983.

She once again returned as Sarah Jane Smith (some-what) in 1993's Dimensions In Time, and the independent video Downtime. But it wasn't until 2005's episode School Reunion when she really returned, alongside David Tennant's 10th Doctor and his then companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper).


From the strength of fan-buzz surrounding this episode, The Sarah Jane Adventures began, starring Liz Sladen (of course) and her own companion K-9. The show was BBC's vehicle for children's based sci-fi, and it worked. The show gave birth to it's own toy line (Sarah Jane and a Graske are in my collection) and of course the DVDs are still for sale. In series 2, David Tennant guest-starred for episode, and in series 3, Matt Smith (the 11th Doctor) also appeared, further strengthening the show's appeal for Whovians.


Tragically, earlier this month Elisabeth Sladen passed away from cancer, which really came as a shock to alot of us fans, who had no idea she was sick. A special 'My Sarah Jane' will screen after tonight's episode of Doctor Who in the UK as a tribute to Liz, but currently there's no word if it will be screened here in Australia.

Now, as for the autograph, during the 2nd series of The Sarah Jane Adventures I wrote to Liz, and was lucky enough to receive this wonderful postcard in the mail a short time later.


Until next time...

Freema Agyeman

Next in my collection of celebrity autographs is Freema Agyeman.


Who, you ask? That's definately what I said when she was announced as the 10th Doctor's 2nd companion in Doctor Who. Freema had previously appeared as Adeola in the Doctor Who episode 'Army of Ghosts' but after her character died during an invasion of the Cybermen and the Daleks, Freema was re-cast as Adeola's cousin Martha Jones, for the entire 2007 series.

Adeola


Martha

After 2 years of Billie Piper as the Doctor's companion, the character of Martha Jones' was a bold choice. Noticably in the UK because she was the first black companion, but for me it was because her character was so quick to adapt to travelling with the Doctor. Perhaps this was due to the script writing, the show had only returned 2 years previously, and the audience no longer needed (or wanted) to sit through another 'OMG, it's bigger on the inside' scenario, so that aspect was downplayed somewhat with the introduction of Martha.

As the series progressed we learnt of Martha's attraction to David Tennant's 10th Doctor, who was still infatuated with his previous companion Rose Tyler. Sure, Rose was nice, but Martha Jones is simply fantastic...


Later on, there was the Doctor Who cartoon 'The Infinite Quest' which Freema and David provided their voices for.


Freema left the show at the end of the 2007 series, as Martha returned to Earth to live with her reunited family. Of course she returned to the show, a few times in fact. As did her clone:


Since her days in Doctor Who appear all but over, Freema has appeared in Torchwood, and in Law & Order UK.


On to the autograph, when the 2007 series of Doctor Who was screening in Australia, I wrote to Freema, c/o the show's production office. It didn't take long before I received this in the mail.

Gold!

Tom Baker

Next on my list of celebrity autographs is Tom Baker.


Regarded by many as THE Doctor of them all (currently there have been 11), Tom Baker played the 4th Doctor (in Doctor Who of course) having taken over from Jon Pertwee in 1974's 'Robot' until he was suceeded by Peter Davison in 1981's 'Logopolis'.


With his outrageously elongated scarf, wide-brimmed hat, and long coat, the 4th Doctor's personality reflected his outfit, shunning the autocratic UNIT HQ which Jon Pertwee's Doctor had grown accustomed. This bold new Doctor hit a nerve with audiences of the time, and secured the show's future for years to come.

That's using your noodle!

During Tom's run on the show, he tried to install some of his own ideas. Outrageous suggestions such as a talking cabbage as a companion where quickly thrown out. But many people felt that one of Tom's ideas had merit. 'Doctor Who Meets Scratchman' was a story written by Tom and Ian Marter, who played Harry Sullivan on the show. Basically the story's premise was that the Doctor would meet the Devil.

For a variety of reasons the story never saw the light of day.

In 1978 the producers of the Bond films came calling, as they were eager to cast him as the villanous Hugo Drax in Moonraker (released in 1979). However as the filming was taking place in France, Tom was stuck in England filming Doctor Who so he had to decline the role, which was then taken by Michael Lonsdale. Interestingly the following year, the great Doctor Who serial 'City Of Death' was filmed in France. Shame they couldn't have timed it better for Tom.

During Tom's 7 year reign on the show, the 4th Doctor had various costume changes. The most drastic was for Season 18, when he was given a mainly red outfit. It wouldn't last long.


Having left the show after the 4th Doctor's demise, Tom went on to play Sherlock Holmes in 1982's The Hound Of The Baskervilles, and he appeared in cameo roles in such tv shows as Blackadder, and Remington Steele.

No sh** Sherlock.

Tom's next big role was as the narrator of Little Britain. Great show, check it out.

Recently, Tom has returned to the role of the 4th Doctor, in a string of audio adventures. Whilst I haven't heard any of his run, the vibe is they're quite good.

Now, as for the autograph, I actually fail to recall when and where I received it. I know it's definately not a through-the-mail success. Perhaps I won it as a door prize at a Doctor Who convention? My memory is hazy but nonetheless, here it is!