My stupid sexism over Doctor Who Jodie, by 80s star Sylvester McCoy
FORMER Doctor Who star Sylvester McCoy has said “stupid sexism” was to blame for his concerns about Jodie Whittaker taking on the role of the Time Lord.
The Scottish actor played the seventh Doctor from 1987 to 1989 before briefly returning in 1996.
He said he had not been sure about the Broadchurch actor, 38, taking over from Peter Capaldi when it was first announced.
The 77-year-old said: “It was stupid sexism. In a way. I thought, ‘Why change it?’ But after five minutes she was the Doctor, as far as I was concerned.
“My only criticism now is the overuse of the sonic screwdriver; it makes it too easy for the Doctor to get out of trouble.
“I didn’t have one – I only had an umbrella – which is maybe why I’m not so keen on it!”
There have been rumours that Jodie is set to leave the show after completion of the next series.
About who should replace her, he also told the Radio Times: “I’m always surprised by who they pick. It has to be someone with lots of character.
“It can’t be someone bland and beautiful, rather handsome and characterful. I was surprised when they got Matt Smith. He looked about 12, and yet he was brilliant!
“One minute he looks 12, the next he looks 125. He has the perfect Doctor Who face. So, a surprise. A person of colour would be great.”
Discussing his own legacy as the Doctor, he said: “Some actors try to get away from Doctor Who once they’ve left.
“But you can’t get rid of it, so you might as well embrace it.
“You know, the money was terrible at the BBC in those days.
“I complained about it to someone and it became a tabloid headline: ‘Doctor Who complains about his wages.’
“A little later, the producer’s boyfriend came up to me and said, ‘The money’s not good, but think of it as fat dripping off a pig.’
“He wasn’t wrong; dripping ever since.”
Sylvester recently returned to his Doctor role with companion Bonnie Langford to plug the release of a box set for the 1987 season.
●●The full interview is in the Radio Times, out now. it’s been
THE bodies of an elderly couple carried away in a devastat- ing flood have been found in their submerged car after a two-week search.
Witnesses saw grandparents John Lillistone, 83, and his wife Patricia, 82, swept away on February 1, but were powerless to help.
Their bodies were recovered by divers after a search involving aircraft and police.
Heartbroken
Sonar equipment pinpointed the car on the bed of the River Trent but high and fast-flowing water levels hampered efforts to raise it.
John and Patricia, from the village of Lowdham, Notts, had been helpless after entering the water at nearby Hoveringham, between Newark and Nottingham.
The couple’s heartbroken relatives said: “John and Patricia were loving, caring parents and grandparents who were always and friends.
“Our family is devastated by the loss of two wonderful people and they will be dearly missed by all.
“We have many happy memories of our time spent together that we will cherish forever.”
They added: “We would like to thank the emergency services and other agencies involved for their tireless effort and support at this very difficult time.”
Inspector Tim Ringer of Nottinghamshire Police, who led the recovery operation which ended on Saturday, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of the deceased.
“They have asked for their privacy to be respected at what I know is an immensely difficult time.”
A file will now be prepared for the coroner.
County councillor there for family
Roger
Jackson, who represents the couple’s Southwell ward, said: “It’s very, very tragic.
“We don’t know what the circumstances are around it, but it’s awful for everybody involved. My heart goes out to their family.
“I have been speaking to the parish council and highways team to see if we can stop it from happening again.”
Mr Jackson added: “I understand some residents saw what was happening but there was absolutely nothing they could do.”
Swept away...grandparents John and Patricia. Left, police search River Trent