AS the internationally famous sci-fi series Doctor Who celebrates its 60th anniversary this month, News reporter Calum Corral recalls meeting legendary timelord star Tom Baker.
Calum was attending a Doctor Who celebration event in Chiswick in London when he got to meet actor Tom Baker, who played the fourth Doctor between 1974 and 1981.
The fourth doctor appeared in 172 episodes - or 179, counting the regeneration at the end of Planet of the Spiders and the aborted Shada - over a seven-year period, making him the longest-running on-screen Doctor of the series.
Tom, who is now 89, also returned in the 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor in a surprise cameo appearance as 'The Curator', alongside the 11th Doctor Matt Smith, another television star Calum has met.
Recalling his encounter with Tom Baker in 2018, Calum recalled: "There were hundreds of people who turned up at a small community hall in Chiswick just to get a glimpse of their childhood hero, and pose alongside him for a photo.
"With queues waiting outside the hall, with some dressed as Tom with his famous long scarf an floppy hat, it was incredible to see Tom arriving, and getting out of his car, in front of the adoring crowds, as he ventured inside.
"He was joined by Louise Jamieson, who played alongside Tom as Leela, and it was wonderful to meet them and talk about the classic series.
"I have only met Tom once and it didn't disappoint.
"I asked him who his own hero is - and he boomed out - 'Calum, you're my hero - ha ha ha!'.
"And he signed my Doctor Who Season 12 blu ray box set with 'To Calum - my hero!' - What a lovely man!"
"He was a brilliant Doctor Who, and everybody growing up was in awe of him.
"He had a magical quality in the part with his mop of curly hair, long scarf, and bohemian look, and was more than a match for all the adversaries he faced - from the Daleks to the Cyberman and even Sutekh the destroyer in one of my favourite stories, 'The Pyramids of Mars'."
The show is returning in a blaze of glory over the weeks ahead, with three anniversary episodes starring Bathgate-born David Tennant as the 14th Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble.
It then returns on Christmas Day, when Rwandan-Scottish actor and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate Ncuti Gatwa will take on the title role.
Calum said: "The show keeps evolving and has a magical quality which captures the heart of new generations, but despite changing, has always managed to stay true to its origins.
"It has been amazing to see the show grow into one of the BBC's best loved programmes and now even has a new link-up with the Disney Channel for a global audience.
"I am sure the forthcoming specials and the new Doctor arriving on Christmas Day will be the proverbial icing on the Doctor Who cake!"
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