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| Copyright BBC TV |
Forget all the pretenders who have impersonated him since, because there's only ever been one DOCTOR WHO in my book - and that's the real one - WILLIAM HARTNELL. Which is not to say that some of the many other actors who assumed the role down through the years didn't do a creditable job, but - for my money - the definitive version of the Doctor was portrayed by dear old Bill.
Was his Doctor a goodie or a baddie? In the early episodes it wasn't quite clear which side he was on - apart from his own, of course - and this only added to the mystery and intrigue of the character.
The Doc made his debut on Saturday, 23rd November, 1963 - just over 47 years ago. So, as a special treat, here's the front cover of the very first DOCTOR WHO ANNUAL from 1965 (for 1966). The artist, WALTER HOWARTH, obviously worked from a photo of Hartnell for reference because the likeness is spot-on. It's just a shame that he wasn't also given a photo of a police box, as that's the worst looking TARDIS I've seen in my life. You could ski off that roof - and where's the flashing light? And there should definitely have been a DALEK on that cover!
Oh well, never mind - can't have everything I suppose.