Author and Doctor Who fan Steve Berry has been on a mission: collecting memories from comedians and actors, musicians and authors, all united by their love for a certain Time Lord. Watching a plethora of celebrity fans come out of the woodwork since 2005, all claiming to have loved the show as a child, he thought: Why not create a book of favourite memories and sell it for charity to raise a lot of money?
From the magazine editor who will forever associate peanut butter with the Sontarans, to the actress who positioned her chair to keep one eye on the TV and the other on the sea, just in case. From unusual homemade plotlines acted out with Weetabix figures, to childhood encounters with Tom Baker and the fannish thrill of meeting a ‘Doctor’ even when you’re a grown up. Each of the contributors has related something personal regarding their relationship with Doctor Who.
From the show itself, memories come from five companions actresses; Anneke Wills (Polly), Katy Manning (Jo), Janet Fielding (Tegan) Nicola Bryant (Peri) and Sophie Aldred (Ace) who span the original three decades. Guest star contributors from across the years include Lynda Bellingham, Hugh Bonneville, Shaun Dingwall, Tracey-Ann Oberman and Nicholas Parsons.
From behind the camera, contributions come from legendary Script Editor Terrance Dicks as well as writers Andrew Smith, Jenny Colgan, Paul Cornell, Neil Gaiman, Stephen Gallagher, Paul Magrs and Marc Platt.
The book also boasts a range of British comedy talent such as Mitch Benn, Charlie Brooker, Jeremy Dyson, Josie Long, Stephen Merchant, Al Murray, Bill Oddie, Chris Tarrant, Jonathan Ross and even Roland Rat. Controversially, there is even a piece from the Doctor’s 1980’s nemesis, former BBC One controller Michael Grade, who provides some perspective on his axing of the show and its reinvention, culminating in a frankly shocking admission!
It is interesting to see the themes that develop across the book. Some claim to have been firmly wedged ‘Behind the Sofa’ as the book’s title suggests, playing on the oft-quoted cliché, but others claim not to have been scared but rather inspired. Some credit the Doctor as a positive influence in their life, guiding them towards a certain career by sparking inspiration at an early age. Long-standing grudges still abound for episodes missed in the pre-video age due to traffic, family occasions and cruel parental punishments.
The project, four years in the making, is raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, who funds research into finding a cure for dementia and is dedicated to Steve’s mother Janet. In amongst the memories, Ben Morris, whose work will be familiar to readers of Doctor Who Magazine, has beautifully illustrated the book.
Cleverly using the subject of memory as a tool in the battle against a condition that deprives people of it, a stroke worthy of the Doctor himself, the book is chock full of charming, witty and heartfelt reminisces. A well produced and an enjoyable tome to dip in and out of, Behind the Sofa confirms that we as Doctor Who fans are all as crazy, inspired and wonderfully obsessed as each other.
Published on Thursday 27th September 2012 by Matador.
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