Colin Baker talks abut life after being sacked as The Doctor

Recounting one of the odder moments that happened after he'd been sacked from the role of The Doctor.
Filmed at Whooverville 7 on 5th September 2015.

[@danielwilliamson6180]

When I met Colin Baker in 2011, I told him it wasn't his fault and he appreciated what I said.

[@uncled39]

I bet he slept better at night after that.

[@scottyunitedboy2925]

Given how badly he was treated by the BBC, Colin has become a fantastic ambassador for the show- he frequently gives up his time for conventions and other interviews, still loves the programme and is happy to promote it in whatever way he can; also a lovely personality with a great sense of humour. For anyone doubting his skills as an actor, I would encourage them to look beyond his TV Dr Who episodes and check out his appearances in the Big Finish audio range- probably the best of the doctors in terms of his consistently excellent performances.

[@tomnorton4277]

I don't need the Big Finish audios to know that Colin Baker is the most underrated Doctor of all time. The man brought such flare and personality to the role in his TV run that even some of the more questionable writing decisions couldn't contain his charm and charisma. Deep down, I could tell that 6 was an old softy who hid his kind heart behind his massive ego. That was something that I felt was missing from Peter Capaldi in his first season because he didn't quite nail the core of the Doctor's personality until his second. It's clear that Capaldi was aiming for an arrogant alien with a soft heart but he was sociopathic in Season 8 - even some of the people who think he's the best Doctor of all time have acknowledged that - so he had to redeem himself in Season 9 which, to his credit, he successfully managed to do.

[@gemstonesvideograpghy6672]

The late Terrance Dicks said he was very good actor and was let down by the British Bollocks Corporation. Disgraceful!😡

[@captainbeastazoid7084]

He's seriously underrated. People who say the writing was bad in his era just haven't seen Revelation of the Daleks or Vengeance on Varos. He was one of the best of the original series. His serials hold up alot better than most of the older ones.

[@Angelus13AOV]

He was magnificent. He’s still my favorite Doctor to this day (2nd being Pertwee). I still enjoy rewatching his stories from time to time. He was the first Doctor who’s personality was similar to mine and that made him so fun to watch.

[@davidaston5773]

EVERYONE It would seem that KARMA loves Doctor Who. Michael Grade and the BBC in the 1980s, were doing what Disney is doing now towards it's viewers. In both cases, a big corporation, with people in charge who are so used to YES men and women, that they believe they CAN NEVER be wrong - finding scapegoats for their decisions. Mid 80s Doctor Who was increasing in popularity in both the UK and USA. The BBC should've been committing more money and expanding the brand. Instead, they decided to act in the unprofessional and gutless way possible. The great thing? On Room 101 in 2003, Grade was disliked by the host and audience. TWO YEARS after that appearance, where he once again chose Doctor Who, the show came back stronger and better than ever before. THAT success could've been Grade's and co's if they'd taken their heads out of their ass. Doctor Who is a show of the people. Not fat cat suits who might as well live on a completely different planet. Uranus most likely. David

[@davidaston5773]

​@user-id6ld8cr2l RTD = a man who has won countless awards and has a career spanning decades. Whether you like him or not, he has EARNED every bit of it. TROY = another special kind of stupid, who RTD doesn't give a fuck about (he has a lfe and is too busy running a career) who FREELY wastes several minutes of life on something he said HIMSELF he hates? Now, THAT IS PRICELESS! CONCLUSION = Another little bitch who needs the internet because he's A NOTHING. All he has is a 'carrer' hiding away like a coward online. One has gone out into the world and made something of himself. The other? He has emojis and comments? What a loser.

[@vesuviuscat2319]

Colin baker is great. I met him at a sci fi convention, the 6th doctor is in one word "alright" every doctor who season has good episodes and bad episodes, colin baker had some decent episodes. He has a nice blue cloak in his dalek episode "revelation of the daleks"

[@StarshipTrooper32]

I always liked Colin Baker. Great guy and it's good to see that he still gets out there to talk to the fans. Very down to earth fellow.

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

You are so right there then too sir as well.

[@barry1369]

I’m angered by how they treated him! It was his dream role and all they could do is tell him that they don’t want him anymore. It was over the phone. This just shows how much the producers didn’t give a shit about the show.

[@tomnorton4277]

John Nathan Turner did give a shit. He personally chose Colin Baker so firing him was the last thing he wanted to do. However, Michael Grade, being a total arsehole who not only hated Doctor Who but was sleeping with Colin's ex wife at the time, said that John had to either fire Colin or he would cancel the show. John had to choose between 1 actor and all of Doctor Who.

[@adrianpreston5245]

Colin was seriously let down by a silly costume and bad writing but he still made good from a bad situation.

[@Adam-vd7op]

Adrian Preston silly costume? I loved his outfit

[@adrianpreston5245]

AdamIsHere he even said he disliked his own costume.

[@deanchristensen4783]

In a strange way, his costume fit his persona. Very showy in a peacock sorta way saying, "Aren't I magnificent? Just look at my brilliance."

[@tost6956]

'bad writing'... riiiiiight

[@blackadder5346]

C'mon, the costume is brilliant. And yes he was let down by not so good writing but he's still my favourite of classic Doctor Who.

[@deanchristensen4783]

Wished he had more of a chance to show what his Doctor was to become, he was the one who made me understood what the program was about and I want to say thank you to Mr. Colin Baker, my other Doctor.

[@wnyduchess]

Colin got his chance with big finish at least 🙂 six on audio is an A tier doctor

[@TomGallagherSuperboyBeyond]

@@wnyduchess agreed

[@stuff31]

Poor guy was done so dirty by Grade. It's so nice that his incarnation has really gotten a chance to shine and complete his arc through Big Finish, and that Colin continues to be so dedicated to the series after all he's been through. What a cool guy.

[@andrewhuckle803]

I was at that convention in the audience. Colin is great.

[@therestorationofdrwho1865]

It’s the fact he asked for a simple dark set of clothes for his roll, something that doesn’t stand out, so they gave him the complete and utter opposite.

[@andrewhuckle803]

I was there at this convention. He was so good, a great guy.

[@truthseeker3503]

Criminally and I mean criminally underrated Doctor!

[@jeremiah5342]

Colin's Doctor Who had some good episodes, it was probably my favorite era in the JNT era. That all ended when Robert Holmes died, Eric Saward quit, and Colin got fired.

[@hinduismwithpremananddasbhagat]

For those that say HE is the problem with the Doctor, one need only listen to a few of his Big Finish to know it wasn't Colin. It was the writing and how they developed (or didn't) his character. There was such nuance to his Doctor that we'd NEVER seen before. Big Finish found the balance and how to write that nuance. There's a reason he's been voted the greatest of the Big Finish Doctors and his popularity has increased.

[@Thatminiacecosplayer]

Yep I agree. 😢 I feel bad

[@jaehurd3524]

Make the 14th doctor Colin Baker

[@nimos1]

Colin had an unfairly rough time as The Doctor and he was never given the opportunity to show what he was really capable of in the role. Still easily the best Doctor though since his namesake gave up the part.

[@captainbeastazoid7084]

Haha. That would be dope

[@stephensheridan1279]

So close yet so far! Tennant came back instead! 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@nigelbranthwaite8471]

I remember that he was in the Tv Show the Brothers in the 1970s.

[@ruffruggednraw]

Let’s be honest There hasn’t been a terrible doctor, they were all amazingly ironic and Colin is obviously one of them

[@Bibblethruster]

That's wonderful!

[@robertmcelwaine7024]

He was sacked by Michael Grade, who didn't even have the balls to tell him to his face that he was fired. He got John Nathan-Turner to do his dirty work for him, which tells you something about Grade.

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

Of course indeed alas too.

[@rollmeister]

I loved him in Revelation of the Dalek's

[@jamesa.fitzpatrick1566]

Life is like that sometimes.

[@TOTRAVEL-f3c]

Legend 👍🏻

[@kerry3355]

Colin Baker should have dropped grade off at Metebilis 3

[@TranscendentLion]

ALL PRAISE TO THE GRADE ONE.

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

Or given him some Spectrox. ;-)

[@justice_productions_]

I not only feel bad for him about what the BBC did to his Doctor, but also how badly he looks now compared to what he looked like in the 80's and 90's

[@jplegend98]

if you look at him in 2017 he is slowly losing the weight tbh. if you havent listened to his audios i would highly recomend it they redeemed his doctor so much in them. www.bigfinish.com/ranges/all_reverse/monthly-series?filter%5B1%5D=6+-+Sixth&filter%5B2%5D=&filter%5B3%5D=&filter%5B12%5D=&filter%5B142%5D=&free_search=&release_number=&release_start_month=&release_start_year=&release_end_month=&release_end_year=

[@justice_productions_]

Thank you, also yes I listened to the Last Adventure and Jubilee, but I still wish he got real screen time.

[@jplegend98]

i know, how hard would it of been for moffet to write in some cameos for doctors 5 to 8. he could of atleast asked them to do some voice over in the 13 doctors save the day bit its not as if they are in a studio that does audio stuff quite regularly or anything lol.

[@justice_productions_]

Yea lol

[@8LiterallyJustTheNumber8]

joshua powell Colin could have reprised his role as Commander Maxil

[@GlassTarantulah]

Great guy...feel bad how they treated him, he could of had a few more years at least.

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

Indeed so too.

[@rattyfan3594]

The character of the Doctor is supposed to be alien. Out of all the actors that have played the role, Colin was one of the most alien like. Making him a perfect Doctor.

[@Wordsmith-qu9yc]

Grade and Birt privatised the BBC in all but name (leading to the state it's in today), and both were given peers by the then government as a pay-off.

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

Indeed so too alas.😊

[@PhilDrury]

Not the One!

[@sibionic]

after being sacked, a lifetime on the convention circuit?

[@tost6956]

bitter cretin detected

[@thefonzkiss]

He actually remained a very in demand theatre actor and was constantly employed. I think he was a fucking awful Doctor for what it’s worth, but that’s the truth.

[@electricmastro]

@@thefonzkiss Opinion =/= Truth. Also, Michael Grade didn't help matters.

[@jplegend98]

@@thefonzkiss his stuff on big finish doctor who audios is great tho.

[@selatidos]

#lydiawest

[@stephensheridan1279]

Why don’t you ask your husband! 😒🙄🤦‍♂️😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😆

[@firecriss1392]

He deserved better. Syl was terrible as the doctor.

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

Indeed so too.

[@MrCdawson17]

I loved that costume. But Grade making the costume deliberately and the character dislikable then going “ohh it’s failing, sack him”. Well, Grade’s fault for doing something self fulfilling a prophecy. However, people loved Colin, didn’t mind the costume, and it was still popular. He knew this and cancelled it cos it was going from strength to strength.

[@tdrury]

Micheal Grade had nothing to do with the costume all these decisions were JNT’s fault.

[@chriswatson7965]

I think Colin Baker's main mistake was trying to act. In part because he's awful at it, but mostly because if he'd just been himself he would have gotten away with being the Doctor.

[@mistofoles]

WTF...He looks like Anne Heggartey !

[@nimos1]

He looks a lot better now.

[@powerranger6712]

Someone told me that he was fired from the show for sleeping with someone :/

[@BedroomScenesMovie]

That's crap....

[@That_Random_Bloke]

Power Ranger Total bullshit

[@TheStockwell]

No offense intended, but "Someone told me" isn't a good way to establish credibility for whatever follows.

[@tomnorton4277]

Actually, he was fired from the show because Michael Grade was "friends" with his ex wife. I can't be certain that he outright fucked her behind Colin's back but the feud between them was more personal than just professional distain.

[@YTTraveler777]

He sucks. And makes it worse by being so needy for relevance.

[@tost6956]

You know that people go to see him at conventions and stuff out of their own free will, right?

[@adrianpreston5245]

He doesn't sucks his doctor who career was let down by bad writing and a ridiculous costume

[@tost6956]

no it wasn't

[@adrianpreston5245]

To St ??

[@mahfuzurchowdhury2765]

Adrian Preston, I'm guessing his name was "The 6th Doctor" for a time.