Dr Who has been a staple of the tabloid celebrity news columns since returning to TV screens in 2005 – mainly due to the obvious star quality of cast members Billie Piper, David Tennant, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan. The latest tale doing the rounds is that comic Miranda Hart was being lined up for a stint as a companion of the Time Lord – only for BBC1 executives to scupper the plans.
According to The Sun, show chief Steven Moffat was keen on casting the sitcom star in future episodes, but was told that she will instead be focusing on her own hit show Miranda. She’s said to be “gutted” that her chances of travelling through time and space appear to have been dashed.
While the doctor’s companions haven’t exactly fit a strict template in recent years, ranging from old comedy hands like Sharon Tate and Elisabeth Sladen to newcomers such as Gillan and Freema Agyeman, we’re finding it hard to imagine bumbling Miranda pulling off such a serious role. This has got us thinking about other potentially disastrous castings on Dr Who – here’s a few that stand out from our quick straw poll.
1. Steven McFadden as Dr Who
During his time on EastEnders, Steve has proved himself to be a versatile actor – portraying Phil Mitchell as a drunk, druggie mechanic and (occasional) sweetheart, sometimes all within the space of a few episodes. But the role of the Time Lord would just be a step too far – although it’d be amusing to see him beating the Daleks and Cybermen with pure brute force rather than the Doctor’s usual cunning.
2. Katie Price as the Doctor’s companion
The Tardis may have almost infinite rooms, but it’d still struggle for space with all of this celebrity gossip column queen’s clothes, make-up and hair extensions. When the time came to save the universe again, the Doctor wouldn’t stand a chance with the distraction of a drunk, leering Jordan stumbling around the Tardis.
3. C3PO as a Cyberman
Should budget cuts hit the show in the future, producers may be forced to look around for other robots to join the Cybermen. But Star Wars’ camp cyborg certainly wouldn’t strike fear into either of the Doctor’s hearts with his confused rambling.
4. Brian Potter as Davros
OK, so like C3PO, Brian is a character rather than an actual person – played to great comic effect by Peter Kay in Channel 4’s Phoenix Nights. But while wheelchair-bound Brian could certainly look the part of the Dalek leader, his Lancashire brogue just wouldn’t cut it. Pedants would also point out that Kay’s already had a role in the show, playing alien Abzobaloff.
5. Only Fools And Horses’ Trigger as the Cybermen’s creator John Lumic
Actually, this did happen in 2006’s ‘Rise of the Cybermen’ – which was certainly a step up from actor Roger Lloyd-Pack’s role as Peckham’s premier road-sweeper. Which proves there’s at least hope for all of the above – Miranda included.
