In Memory of Geoffrey Hughes- by Zeiton_7

"But the Junior Mr Popplewick isnt allowed to expect anyone"


Sadly I am writing this at  the end of a week which saw the tragic loss of Mary Tamm and now Geoffrey Hughes. Discussions with friends on Twitter would lead me to believe that, tragically, this will become an all too common occurrence.

To Doctor Who fans, Geoffrey will be known as the marvellously over the top character of Mr Popplewick. Appearing in the final story of the Sixth Doctor's Trial of a Timelord. Popplewick was a pencil pusher with more than a hint of malevolence about him. Put it this way, do not ever get into a waiting room anywhere near him!

Geoffrey Hughes was born on the 2nd February 1944 and started his acting career in repertory in Stoke on Trent. He starred in many on and off West End productions, most notably in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Television viewers came to love him as the slobbish Eddie Yeats, Stan Ogden's best friend, in Coronation Street and the equally slobbish but loveable Onslow in the BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances. Hughes made a number of film appearances including, Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall, Carry On at Your Convenience and provided the voice for Paul McCartney in the Beatles cartoon film Yellow Submarine

 My personal recollections started at an early age when my mum, an avid Coronation Street fan used to tune in every week. I remember being strangely drawn to the character of Eddie and, although he was a bit of a scallywag, there was something endearing about him. Later on I laughed like countless others at Onslow and even more at the character of Twiggy portrayed in the show The Royal Family

The common strand with all these characters is "larger than life" they were all so real but yet so eccentric. Hughes had a way of portraying the loveable layabout in a way that you never really questioned why his particular onscreen wife put up with him.

In later years Hughes could be seen regularly in Pantomime where audiences would again enjoy his manic over the top acting. It was something that delighted both television and stage audiences alike.

The death of Geoffrey Hughes is a tragic loss to us all. Trial of a Timelord is my favourite Colin Baker story and the character of Mr Popplewick is unforgettable like Hughes himself.

Please join us in the bar on sunday to celebrate this role as we watch The Trial of a Timelord: The Ultimate Foe. Bar opens at 7:30pm press play 8:00pm

Rest In Peace Geoffrey Hughes- 2nd February 1944- 27th July 2012

In Memory of Mary Tamm- @zeiton_7

I awoke this morning with the shocking news that Mary Tamm has passed away. Aged only 62 she had been fighting a long battle with cancer. Twitter and the media are already full of wonderful tributes to this amazing lady and already I feel the, now all too familiar, pain of loss. It is a mark of how closely we hold Doctor Who and those who shape it to our hearts that we feel this type of loss so intensely.

Mary Tamm was born on the 22nd March 1950 in Dewsbury, Yorkshire. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and had originally not been interested in the role of Romana as she believed the role was merely "a damsel in distress". She was persuaded that her role would be very different to what had gone before as she was to be The Doctors equal. Romana was a Time Lady and was just as capable and intelligent as The Doctor. 

During her tenure with The Doctor she provided much onscreen tension as The Doctor struggled with a companion who knew as much as he did. There were also many lighter moments and occasions where there was a real affection between the characters. Mary Tamm left after completing only one season (the Keys To Time story arced season) She had originally mentioned that she would be willing to complete a regeneration sequence but wasn't asked to. Lalla Ward played the next regeneration and is introduced with no onscreen warning.

Many rumours as to why Mary left so soon were reported by the media at the time but she nonetheless went on to star in a number of film and television roles, notably playing the character Penny Crosbie in Brookside. Mary returned to the role of Romana with the Big Finish production Gallifrey during its second series and had completed interviews for the documentary "Stones Free" which was included in the DVD release of The Keys to Time.

 In 2009 Mary published her autobiography, First Generation, and tragically was unable to complete her story. The audio version of the autobiography was labelled as Volume 1. Mary Tamm was popular with fans of the show at conventions and always came across as friendly and approachable.

She will be sadly missed as we remember the legacy she has brought to Doctor Who. Without her there would be no Romana. The Bar would like to mark her passing with a special viewing of The Stones of Blood tonight at 8:00pm. Please join us to share your memories of a truly wonderful Time Lady.

Rest In Peace Mary Tamm-  22nd March 1950- 26th July 2012

The Armageddon Factor, Wednesday 5th October in the Doctor Who Bar

So we have reached the end of The Key to Time journey.

The Doctor and Romana arrive in the middle of a gridlocked war between Atrios and its planetary neighbour Zeos in the search for the final segment, but the Black Guardian is not too far behind. Through his agents he wants The Key to Time for himself.

It will not be an easy task completing this quest. Shadows lurk. The Doctor must overcome an ethical dilemma. What secret does the beautiful Princess Astra hold?

Let's find out together in the Doctor Who Bar on Wednesday from 7pm and pressing Play at 7.30pm.

But while this journey is ending we look to the future.. What would you like to see next Wednesday. Don't just come by yourself! Bring some new friends along!

We hope to see you on Twitter!