Doctor Who - Colin Baker - The Sixth Doctor (1984 - 1986)

Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor.

Colin Baker's tenure as the Sixth Doctor came at a time when the BBC was deciding whether or not the show would continue on. Coupled with an 18 month hiatus in production of the show between seasons 22 and 23. Plus, Michael Grade, who was then Controller of BBC One, did not like Doctor Who at all and he liked Colin Baker even less. This is due to Baker's divorce from Liza Goddard, who was best friend to, yes, you guessed it, Michael Grade.



Baker's portrayal of the Doctor might be the best one in terms of complexity. When he first appeared, he seemed rather unpredictable. Having a regeneration crisis, he at first tried to strangle his companion Peri, believing her to be an alien spy. The Sixth Doctor quickly mellowed, but his time on screen was hampered by the BBC losing confidence in the show. Indeed, the serial 'Trial of a Timelord' is widely considered to be an apt parallel of what was happening to the show itself.

The Sixth Doctor confronts a frightened Peri in the TARDIS.

When tensions between Baker and the BBC reached a head, They effectively fired him when the hiatus was over. With Baker not around, a regeneration had to be planned. So the infamous 'Not Colin Baker' regeneration was shot at the end of. Sylvester McCoy in a blonde curly wig which regenerated into Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor.

Baker made several more appearances as the Sixth Doctor in the Big Finish audio productions which can be purchased here.