Tom Baker – the iconic Doctor

A smiling Tom Baker in costume as the 4th Doctor — Image caption,
Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor (1974)

19 January 2024

"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes" The Fourth Doctor (1974)

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Tom Baker welcomes viewers to Doctor Who Night (1999)

With his long scarf and floppy hat Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor is still one of the most recognisable. As the actor turns 90 on the 20 January 2024 BBC Archives celebrate this iconic Doctor and his enduring appeal.

While it’s over 40 years since Tom Baker hung up his scarf as the regular Doctor, he’s never really left the role. He spoke to Graham Norton in 2019 about the joy of playing The Doctor and being seen as a hero to a generation of children. He also reflected on the adoration he continues to receive for the role.

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Graham Norton chats with Tom Baker on BBC Radio 2 (2019)

"It's a wonderful thing to be told you're wonderful"

Six years earlier Tom Baker had surprised viewers by appearing in the 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who, The Day of The Doctor. In this short online interview, he spoke about how it felt to return to the series.

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Doctor Who: In Conversation with Tom Baker (2013)

“I wanted to try and identify myself with the character, which was a feeling of being a benevolent alien”

Tom Baker in costume as the 4th Doctor, looking at to camera with the beginning of a smile

BBC Archives

Tom Baker pondering the world of The Doctor (1978)

However, the contrast of his portrayal of The Doctor to that of his predecessor Jon Pertwee didn’t make him an instant hit with audiences in 1974. This Audience Research Report for his first story, Robot, states “At this early stage, many did not know whether they were going to like him or not; viewers often said he would 'take some getting used to'”.

Audience Research Report, Robot, page 1. Text reads as follows - BBC ARCHIVE WRITTEN DOCUMENT 1974 British Broadcasting Corporation Confidential AN AUDIENCE RESEARCH REPORT (Week 1) VR/70/1 Dr. Who Director: Christopher Barry Robot Part 1 Saturday, 28th December, 1974. 5.35-6.00 pm, BBC 1 1. Size of audience (based on results of the Survey of Listening and Viewing) It is estimated that the audience for this broadcast was 21.4% of the United Kingdom population. Programmes on ITV at that time were seen by 10.4% (average). 2. Reaction of audience (based on 180 questionnaires completed by 14% of the Viewing Panel). The reactions of this sample of the audience were distributed as follows: - A+ = 4% A = 26% B = 51% C = 17% C- = 2% giving a REACTION INDEX of 53. Fourteen reported episodes in the previous series averaged 60, ranging from 52 (Week 36, 1973) to 64 (Week,1974). 3. The sample audience, did not on the whole, appear to have strong views about this programme; after all, it was often the children's choice, not theirs. However, a minority of about three in ten felt it was definitely enjoyable (some were long-term followers of the series) while a smaller group were distinctly unimpressed. It was suggested, here and there, that this episode had been slow - the story had not got very far by the end. 4. Naturally, the main talking-point was the new Doctor (Tom Baker). At this early stage, many did not know whether they were going to like him or not; viewers often said he would 'take some getting used to'. First impressions among those who volunteered an option were seldom entirely favourable. Some considered the new personality too clownish and eccentric (occasionally, 'too stupid for words') or too unlike the previous Doctor. Also, Jon Pertwee had been a favourite with some viewers, and they missed him. On the other hand, a small group seem to have been instantly attracted, or won over by the end of the episode. The new Doctor had 'more life and humour', it was said, and seemed likely to 'buck the series up'. 5. The acting and production in general were mostly considered competent. 6. 86% of the sample saw the whole episode; 6% came in in the middle, 3% switched off before the end and 5% tried a bit. 7. Viewers were asked to pass on the opinions of any children under 15 watching with them. More than half the sample did so, often referring to two or more children. 8. Although a few of these children seemed to enjoy Dr. Who less than before, most were judged to be happily entertained. Some of the smaller ones were apparently a little scared, but determined to stick it out. 9. Comments would suggest that some children are mainly interested in the 'monsters and creepy-crawlies' (in this episode a robot) and are not too concerned about the representation of the Doctor and his friends. However, some children obviously thought the new Doctor 'silly', or missed the familiar Jon Pertwee (which did not necessarily mean the episode as a whole failed to entertain them). In several families, adults or older children had a difficult time trying to explain this 'change' to viewers not quite old enough to 'swallow' the idea. Others wore as yet unsure or, less often positively attracted by this 'crazy but comical' figure.

BBC Archives

Audience Research Report, Robot, page 1 (1974)

Audience Research Report, Robot, page 2. Text reads as follows - 10. Here are a few examples of children's comments and adult's description of their reactions: 'The new Doctor is not quite as good as Jon Pertwee, but the programme is still just as exciting' (Boy aged 11); 'Above all else, my two boys aged 4 and 6 were distressed about the change of Dr. Who. They were very excited by the episode, but hope the Doctor will change back again next week;'; 'I have four children under 15. They thoroughly enjoyed the programme. Admittedly they all in one voice missed Jon Pertwee, but were quite prepared to let the new man have a good chance in the part before saying whether they will like him or not'; 'It was nice and creepy but I like the other Dr. Who best' (Boy - 12); 'My 14-year old son thought the Doctor played the part too much for laughs. My 3 1/2-year old son was very frightened by the robots, but insisted on watching it sitting on my lap. My ten-year old daughter thought it very good and liked the way the Doctor changed'; 'I would like him calmed down a bit, because he's crazy' (Boy - 8); 'I was ever so good. I liked that tin thing with the clippy hands' (Girl - 8); 'My two boys (8 and 11) thought the new Dr. Who "dead funny" and liked him very much'; 'General reaction: "What a short episode". I think that indicated their immediate involvement'; 'My three-year old took some convincing about the changed face of Dr. Who. The five-year old accepted this. Both 'like' the Daleks and prehistoric monsters'. Copyright of the BBC Audience Research Department 16th January, 1975 KEM/KE

BBC Archives

Audience Research Report, Robot, page 2 (1974)

Yet the report hints towards the future popularity of the Fourth Doctor, with one of the comments from a parent claiming “my two boys (8 and 11) thought the new Dr. Who ‘dead funny’ and liked him very much”. His appeal did win audiences over and he became the children’s hero he discussed with Graham Norton.

During the seven years he played The Doctor Tom Baker regularly made appearances in costume, both on screen and in person, to the delight of children and adults. In 1976 he dropped in on Seaside Special while he was in Blackpool for the town carnival, although Tony Blackburn wasn’t quite sure if he was talking to Tom Baker the actor, or to The Doctor …

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Tony Blackburn chats to Tom Baker, Seaside Special (1976)

This very short clip shows Tom Baker was keen to meet fans during a visit to Belfast at the height of The Troubles in 1978. He smiles his way through the security checks that were in place then in the city, before meeting children in the hospital.

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Scene Around Six: Tom Baker visits Belfast (1978)

“I stayed with it so long because it was such fun to do”

The enduring appeal of Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor isn’t just about his unmistakeable look. It’s about his distinctive voice too. Impressionist and Doctor Who fan Jon Culshaw has regularly imitated Tom’s Doctor, including on this memorable occasion when he phoned the real Tom Baker.

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Dead Ringers, BBC Radio 4 (2001)

And it’s not just older Doctor Who fans who are entertained and inspired by Tom Baker’s Doctor. Younger fans also continue to embrace the enduring appeal of the Doctor with the long scarf and floppy hat.

Abby Cook, wearing a stripy scarf and large hat, with Joel Mawhinney. Both are holding sonic screwdrivers. There is a Tardis in the background.

Blue Peter presenter Abby Cook wearing a Fourth Doctor scarf and hat to launch the programme’s Doctor Who 60th Birthday competition, with co-host Joel Mawhinney (2023)

So, almost 50 years after Tom Baker took on the role of The Doctor his appeal and influence, much like his enthusiasm for the role, live on.

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Until next time - Disney Time (1975)

Tom Baker in costume as the 4th Doctor, shrugging his shoulders and carrying an umbrella with the Doctor's hat on top

BBC Archives

Tom Baker having fun filming in Paris (1979)

Tom Baker – the iconic Doctor

"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes" The Fourth Doctor (1974)

"It's a wonderful thing to be told you're wonderful"

“I wanted to try and identify myself with the character, which was a feeling of being a benevolent alien”

“I stayed with it so long because it was such fun to do”

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