Doctor Who actor dies at the age of 99
<p>Legendary <em>Doctor Who</em> actor William Russell has died at the age of 99. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p><em>Doctor Who</em> show runner Russell T Davies led the tributes online, writing, "What a sad loss."</p>
<p>"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.</p>
<p>"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."</p>
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<p>Davies said that Russell had been a "star booking" for the show, praising both the actor and man he knew off set.</p>
<p>"He later went on to marry Rita Fairclough as Ted Sullivan on <em>Coronation Street</em>. In the photo, I bumped into him on a train in 2018! I was star-struck," he continued.</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p>William Russell made his television debut in 1956, starring in the TV series <em>The Adventures of Sir Lancelot</em>, which led to an illustrious career both on the screen and the stage. </p>
<p>Russell appeared once more in <em>Doctor Who</em> 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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>He is survived by his four children, Robert, Laetitia, Vanessa and Alfred, as well as four grandchildren, James, Elise, Amy and Ayo.</p>
<p><em>Image credits: BBC / Dan Wooller / Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>
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