Quotes

[in 2001] A programme like that would never get made today without having a household name, but back then I fought to have John Nettles play Bergerac (1981) because he was right for it. The programme went on to have 15 million viewers.

[in 2001] There are now so many top-level bosses at the BBC and ITV that people on a lower level can no longer just say yes to a commission. Once decisions were made by producers, and they answered only to the controller. Now there are too many people all singing from the same hymn book, fearful of stepping out of line.

[in 2001] There was quite a free rein until about 10 years ago; producers and writers were allowed to take chances and didn't have to stick to the staple diet of cops and hospitals - or take a star out of a soap opera, give them a contract for several million, and slog away until you find something for them.

[in 2013] My own personal opinion is that the modern Doctor Who (2005) should be aimed more at children. People very fondly remembered being scared by Doctor Who - now the plots seem to me a little too adult.

Tom Baker was always my favourite Doctor Who (1963). He had a kind of quality, a sort of daft, fey quality which children absolutely loved.

I was very proud to have written a couple of lots of Doctor Who (1963).