Doctor Who actor dies at the age of 99
Legendary Doctor Who actor William Russell has died at the age of 99.
Russell made his debut on the long-running hit sci-fi show back during its first episode in 1963 as the character Ian Chesterson, where he became the first companion alongside the then doctor William Hartnell.
Doctor Who show runner Russell T Davies led the tributes online, writing, "What a sad loss."
"William played the Doctor's very first companion, Ian Chesterton, back in 1963," Davies explained in the Instagram tribute alongside an image of the two together.
"A 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..! Wonderful! A fine, nimble, witty, heartfelt actor who absolutely sold the truth of those early years."
Davies said that Russell had been a "star booking" for the show, praising both the actor and man he knew off set.
"He later went on to marry Rita Fairclough as Ted Sullivan on Coronation Street. In the photo, I bumped into him on a train in 2018! I was star-struck," he continued.
"He spoke with so much pride and joy about his son, Alfred Enoch, who I'd seen in King Lear at the Royal Exchange. Absolutely lovely man. A fine, long life. Well done, sir, well played."
William Russell made his television debut in 1956, starring in the TV series The Adventures of Sir Lancelot, which led to an illustrious career both on the screen and the stage.
Russell appeared once more in Doctor Who after his initial episode, reprising his role in 2022 during the final episode of Jodie Whitaker's run as the Doctor, 57 years after his own last appearance.
Not only did fans of the show adore his appearance, but it also scored him a Guinness World Record for having the biggest gap between TV appearances.
He is survived by his four children, Robert, Laetitia, Vanessa and Alfred, as well as four grandchildren, James, Elise, Amy and Ayo.
Image credits: BBC / Dan Wooller / Shutterstock Editorial