Editing Colin Baker (section)

==Career==
===Early work in television===
[[File:Colin Baker and Jean Anderson in 1976.jpg|thumb|Baker with his ''[[The Brothers (1972 TV series)|The Brothers]]'' co-star [[Jean Anderson]] in 1976]]
Baker's numerous television roles in the early 1970s included a supporting role in a 1970 [[BBC]] ''[[The Roads to Freedom (TV serial)|adaptation]]'' of [[Jean-Paul Sartre]]'s trilogy ''[[The Roads to Freedom]]'', a leading role as Count Steinbock in their adaptation of ''[[Cousin Bette]]'' the following year, playing opposite [[Margaret Tyzack]] and [[Helen Mirren]]. In 1972 he played Anatole Kuragin, opposite [[Anthony Hopkins]] in the BBC adaptation of ''[[War and Peace (1972 TV series)|War and Peace]]''. His regular television work continued and in ''[[Fall of Eagles]]'', Baker appeared as [[William, German Crown Prince|Crown Prince Wilhelm]] of the [[German Empire]].

By far his most prominent role to date came in 1974, playing the ruthless banker Paul Merroney in the BBC Sunday evening series ''[[The Brothers (1972 TV series)|The Brothers]]''.<ref name="cambridge-news.co.uk">{{cite news |url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Colin-Baker-Time-Gentleman/story-22776002-detail/story.html|title=Colin Baker: Time Gentleman|date=5 July 2012|newspaper=[[Cambridge News]]|access-date=5 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923221557/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Colin-Baker-Time-Gentleman/story-22776002-detail/story.html|archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> Baker joined the series half-way through its run, as Merroney became one of the leading characters over three and a half series from 1974–76.

After ''The Brothers'', he worked regularly in theatre and his television work became less frequent, although he guest-starred as Bayban the Butcher in a 1980 episode of ''[[Blake's 7]]'', "City at the Edge of the World". He had further guest roles on television and in 1983 featured in a BBC production of [[A.J. Cronin]]'s ''[[The Citadel (1983 miniseries)|The Citadel]]''.

===''Doctor Who'' (1984–1986)===
Baker made his first appearance in ''Doctor Who'' as Commander Maxil in the [[Peter Davison]]-era story ''[[Arc of Infinity]]'' (1983). He then became the second of three actors to be cast as the Doctor by producer [[John Nathan-Turner]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/05_may/02/nathanturner.shtml | title= Death of former Doctor Who producer John Nathan-Turner | work=BBC Online | date=2 May 2002 | access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> Baker's first appearance in the starring role occurred in the final moments of ''[[The Caves of Androzani]]'' (1984), where he delivered his first few lines. He then made his full story debut the following week in ''[[The Twin Dilemma]]''. The serial, and Baker's portrayal of the Doctor, caused immediate controversy, with one scene in which the Doctor attempts to strangle his companion, [[Peri Brown]]. According to ''[[PopMatters]]'', "Colin Baker's first appearance was just out-and-out dislikable, showcasing a hubris and harshness that was heretofore unseen in the Doctor's emotional canon."<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.popmatters.com/122276-doctor-who-the-twin-dilemma-2496179219.html | title= Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma | work=[[PopMatters]] | first=Evan | last=Sawdey | date=23 March 2010 | access-date=27 July 2020}}</ref>

Baker's era was interrupted by an 18-month [[Hiatus (television)|hiatus]] which was announced in February 1985, midway through transmission of [[Doctor Who (season 22)|Season 22]], his first full season. The Controller of [[BBC One|BBC1]]<!-- Current rendering dates from 1997. --> at the time, [[Michael Grade]], criticised ''Doctor Who'', saying that the programme had become overly violent in 1985. Grade later admitted that he "hated" the series, which he described as a "very clunky studio show".<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/apr/03/broadcasting.politicsandthemedia3 | title= Amid the suits, a man who stands out | work=The Guardian | date=3 April 2004|access-date=7 May 2017|location=London, UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2009/jan/05/doctor-who-michael-grade|title=Michael Grade delivers second opinion on Doctor Who: 'I was wrong'|work=The Guardian|date=5 January 2009|access-date=7 May 2017|location=London}}</ref> One new ''Doctor Who'' story, ''[[Slipback]]'', was produced for radio during the hiatus, which starred Baker and his regular television companion [[Nicola Bryant]].

[[File:Colin Baker, Whovent 1986 2.jpg|thumb|left|Baker at Whovent in September 1986]]

''Doctor Who'' returned to television for its [[Doctor Who (season 23)|23rd season]] in September 1986. The season featured a reduction in episodes, was made entirely on video for location scenes and was produced as a 14-episode-long serial called ''The Trial of a Time Lord''. This serial was a meta-textual reference to the fact that the series itself was "on trial" at this time.<ref>DVD Commentary: ''Trial of a Time Lord'', Discs 1–4 Region 1 Edition</ref> In 1986 Baker told an interviewer: "[[Tom Baker]] did it for seven years.&nbsp;... There's a part of me which likes to have a tilt at records. I would like to think that maybe I'd still be doing it in eight years' time."<ref>{{cite video
 | people     = David Woodward (Writer, producer, Director)
 | date       = 1986
 | title      = They All Axed<!--sic--> for Who
 | medium     = Television production
 | publisher  = [[WYES-TV|WYES]]
 | location   = [[New Orleans]]
 | time       = 0:05:30
}}</ref> Later that year the series was recommissioned, but Nathan-Turner was ordered to change the actor playing the Doctor. Although sources have attributed this decision to Grade, he denied this in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/news/briefhistory/cbaker.shtml|title=Colin Baker|work=BBC Online|access-date=7 May 2017}}</ref><ref name=Conversation>{{cite AV media |date=2022 |title=''Doctor Who'': The Collection Season 22 |chapter=Michael Grade in Conversation |type=special feature |publisher=[[BBC Studios]]}}</ref> The BBC's Head of Series, [[Jonathan Powell (producer)|Jonathan Powell]], later said that the BBC was looking for "one last chance saloon, for an actor who would take off with the public."<ref>''Trials and Tribulations'' – documentary on Colin Baker's era of Doctor Who (2008 2entertain DVD release).</ref> Peter Davison argued in 2018 that the decision was more to do with the executives wanting to get rid of Nathan-Turner, saying: "I was upset about what happened, really – because, first of all, it wasn't to do with Colin, I know that. It was to do with other issues. The power structure in the BBC had changed and they didn't want John Nathan-Turner around is the truth of it."<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a871595/peter-davison-doctor-who-exit-dodged-bullet/ | title= Doctor Who star Peter Davison thinks he 'dodged a bullet' by quitting when he did | work=[[Digital Spy]] | first=Cameron K. | last=McEwan | date=3 December 2018 | access-date=7 May 2020}}</ref>

Baker was removed from the part after starring in only eleven stories and just short of three years in the series, including the hiatus, making his tenure as the Doctor the shortest at that point. After his sacking, Baker was offered a single four-part story that would end in his character's regeneration, but he refused the offer. In response, Baker offered to do the entirety of the following season and regenerate at its conclusion, but the BBC never responded to his letter. Instead, his replacement, [[Sylvester McCoy]], played the injured Sixth Doctor in a blonde wig as he regenerates in the opening minutes of ''[[Time and the Rani]]'', his face hidden by video effects as the regeneration process occurs.<ref name="cambridge-news.co.uk"/> In an interview in 2019, Baker expressed regret for not returning for the scene, stating that he was "brutally selfish at the time" and that he was not thinking about the fans.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jeffery |first1=Morgan |title=Colin Baker says he was "selfish" not to film Doctor Who regeneration scene: 'I forgot about the fans' |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-09-16/colin-baker-doctor-who-regeneration/ |website=Radio Times |access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref>

On 4 September 2011 at [[Riverside Studios]], Hammersmith, London, Baker accepted the presidency of the [[Doctor Who Appreciation Society|''Doctor Who'' Appreciation Society]], which had previously been held by [[Jon Pertwee]] and [[Nicholas Courtney]]. He was elected following an online poll of the society's members where he won more votes than all the other candidates combined.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dwasonline.co.uk/node/572 |title=Colin Baker – Honorary President! |work=DWAS Online |date=5 September 2011 |access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref>

===''Doctor Who'' appearances in other media===
From 5 June to 19 August 1989, Baker agreed to appear as the Doctor once more, in the stage play ''[[Doctor Who – The Ultimate Adventure]]'', taking over from original lead [[Jon Pertwee]] who had fallen ill.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

In 1992, Baker became the first Doctor to write a published ''Doctor Who'' story, ''The Deal'', as part of ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]''{{'}}s ''Brief Encounters'' series. He wrote a second ''Brief Encounter'' the following year. Both featured the Sixth Doctor and Mel. In 1994 Baker wrote a comic strip, ''The Age of Chaos'' featuring the Sixth Doctor and [[Frobisher (Doctor Who)|Frobisher]], and in 2001 contributed a story entitled "The Wings of A Butterfly" to a charity short story anthology based on Doctor Who, "Missing Pieces". He also presented special ''Doctor Who'' videotape releases ''Cybermen – The Early Years'' in 1992 and ''The Colin Baker Years'' in 1994, with the latter a look back at his tenure on the series highlighted by clips and his memories.

Baker has reprised the role on television only twice after his official run ended, in the 1993 ''[[Children in Need]]'' charity special ''[[Dimensions in Time]]'' alongside Pertwee, [[Tom Baker]], [[Peter Davison]] and Sylvester McCoy, and in the [[Doctor Who (2022 specials)|2022 special]] "[[The Power of the Doctor]]" alongside [[David Bradley (English actor)|David Bradley]], Davison, [[Paul McGann]], McCoy and [[Jodie Whittaker]]. He reprised the role again in ''[[Tales of the TARDIS]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Doctor Who: Welcome to The Whoniverse where every Doctor, every companion and hundreds of terrifying monsters live|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2023/doctor-who-the-whoniverse-tales-of-the-tardis|website=BBC Media Centre|publisher=BBC|date=30 October 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy, Colin Baker (24 November 2013) (2).jpg|thumb|[[Peter Davison]], [[Sylvester McCoy]] and Baker at the ''Doctor Who'' 50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend in 2013]]

In 1997, Baker provided audio dialogue for the BBC video game ''[[Destiny of the Doctors|Doctor Who: Destiny of the Doctors]]''.

1999 saw Baker voice his first ''Doctor Who'' audio adventure for [[Big Finish Productions]], ''[[The Sirens of Time]]''. As of {{year}}, Baker has appeared as the Sixth Doctor in 166 releases, with more planned for the future. These audio plays are generally well received by fans and in a poll conducted by ''Doctor Who Magazine'', Baker was voted the "greatest" of the Doctors in this format. He also reprised the role of Commander Maxil in the ''Gallifrey'' audio series story "Appropriation" in 2006; in 2022, he played alternate versions of the [[Fifth Doctor]] (known as the Doctor of War) in the ''[[Doctor Who Unbound]]'' series and [[The Day of the Doctor|the Curator]] in ''[[Doctor Who: The Eighth Doctor Adventures|The Eighth Doctor Adventures]]''.

In recent years, Baker has appeared on a number of DVD releases of his episodes, featuring in either "making-of" documentaries or commentaries. The documentary ''Trials and Tribulations'', included in the 2008 DVD release of ''[[The Trial of a Time Lord]]'' examines his turbulent three years on the show.

In November 2013, Baker co-starred in the one-off 50th anniversary comedy homage ''[[The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot]]''.<ref>"[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03lv3mj The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot]", BBC programmes, retrieved 26 November 2013</ref>

In the [[The Power of the Doctor|final episode]] of Jodie Whittaker’s tenure as the Doctor, Baker returned for a cameo appearance alongside Davison, McCoy and Paul McGann as a manifestation of the Doctor’s subconscious.

From 2023 onwards, Baker hosts the Big Finish produced podcast ''Into the TARDIS'', presenting the various audio stories broadcast in the series.

===After ''Doctor Who''===
[[File:Colin Baker (cropped).jpg|thumb|Baker at the 2014 [[Phoenix Fan Fusion|Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest]]]]
Since leaving ''Doctor Who'' Baker has spent much of his time on the stage with appearances throughout the country in plays as diverse as [[Peter Nichols (playwright)|Peter Nichols]]' ''[[Privates on Parade]]'', Ira Levin's ''[[Deathtrap (play)|''Deathtrap'']]'', [[Ray Cooney]]'s ''[[Run for Your Wife (play)|Run for Your Wife]]'' and [[Ariel Dorfman]]'s ''[[Death and the Maiden (play)|Death and the Maiden]]''. For many years he has been a [[pantomime]] stalwart. In 2000 he appeared in ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (musical)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]]'' alongside actress [[Louise Jameson]] who had previously played the [[Fourth Doctor]]'s companion [[Leela (Doctor Who)|Leela]]. In 2003 he starred in the [[Carl Rosa Opera Company]]'s production of [[operetta]] ''[[H.M.S. Pinafore]]'', directed by [[Timothy West]]. In 2008, he toured with ex-wife [[Liza Goddard]] in ''[[She Stoops To Conquer]]''. Other theatre appearances have seen Baker tackle the role of [[Inspector Morse]] in ''House of Ghosts''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831273054191/Inspector+Morse+Has+Stage+Debut+with+Colin+Baker.html |title=Inspector Morse Has Stage Debut with Colin Baker |work=What's On Stage |date=5 May 2010 |access-date=28 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013175030/http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831273054191/Inspector%2BMorse%2BHas%2BStage%2BDebut%2Bwith%2BColin%2BBaker.html |archive-date=13 October 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and a UK tour of ''[[The Woman in White (musical)|The Woman in White]]''.

In 1991, Baker played a Doctor-like character in the [[Bill & Ben Video|BBV]] video series ''[[The Stranger (video series)|The Stranger]]''. This character appeared in six video adventures as well four audio stories. Another standalone BBV drama entitled ''[[The Airzone Solution]]'' appeared in 1993 and featured former ''Doctor Who'' actors Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison and Sylvester McCoy.

Television work through the 1990s included guest appearances in the BBC's medical drama ''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]'', ''[[The Knock]]'', ''[[Dangerfield (TV series)|Dangerfield]]'', the first episode of ''[[Jonathan Creek]]'', [[Channel 4]]'s adaptation of ''[[A Dance to the Music of Time]]'' and as himself as the resident celebrity in 'Dictionary Corner' on the daytime quiz show ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]]'', also on Channel 4.

In 2003, Baker appeared on ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'', participating on a one-lap run on the Top Gear track in a Honda Civic hatchback. Baker competed against a [[Klingon]], a [[Cyberman]], a [[Dalek]], [[Darth Vader]] and [[Ming the Merciless]]. Baker came in 4th position, with the Cyberman coming 1st.

A 2005 guest appearance in comedy sketch show ''[[Little Britain (TV series)|Little Britain]]'' was never transmitted but can be seen in the deleted scenes special feature on the ''Little Britain'' series 3 DVD. Other television appearances have seen Baker appear in ''[[Kingdom (British TV series)|Kingdom]]'', ''[[Hustle (TV series)|Hustle]]'' and ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]''.

Away from his ''Doctor Who'' work for Big Finish Productions (see above), Baker appeared in the audio dramas ''[[The Mystery of the Missing Hour|Sapphire and Steel: The Mystery of the Missing Hour]]'' and the 3 part ''[[Earthsearch Mindwarp]]''. The latter, based on a [[James Follett]] novel, was broadcast on the [[digital radio]] station [[BBC 7]] in 2006.

In 2010, Baker narrated and provided additional voices for the audiobook version of the sci-fi/comedy novel, ''Kangazang! Remote Possibilities''. Written by Terry Cooper, and published by Candy Jar Books.

Baker's film work over the years includes ''[[The Harpist (film)|The Harpist]]'' (1999), ''[[The Asylum (film)|The Asylum]]'' (2000)<ref name="denofgeek.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who/30136/doctor-who-film-careers-of-peter-davison-colin-baker-sylvester-mccoy |title=Dr Who: Films of Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy |first=Alex |last=Westthorp |date=16 April 2014 |website=Den of Geek |access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref> and ''D'Artagnan et les trois mousquetaires'' (2005).<ref name="denofgeek.com"/> 
Since 1995 Baker has written a regular weekly column for local newspaper ''[[Bucks Free Press]]''. A compilation of his articles from 1995 to 2009 were published in the book, ''Look Who's Talking''.

Baker participated in the 12th series of ''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (British TV series)|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/imacelebrity/celebrities/ |title=Celebrities: I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! |work=ITV.com |access-date=28 July 2014}}</ref> finishing in 8th place out of 12 celebrities.