Elisabeth Sladen: The Autobiography

As much as I enjoyed Planet of Evil, by the time we wrapped mid-July I was ready for a break. Seven serials in a row – that’s thirty-two episodes, one after the other – was a punishing schedule. Worse still, we had fourteen more episodes to film before the block was over. I pored over the calendar with Brian. If we were cute we could actually finagle a few days away. Of course the problem is, as soon as you start imagining these things they just snowball in your mind. I couldn’t wait.

First, I had another treat to look forward to. Tom and I were invited to lunch at the Garrick Club by the bosses of BBC Enterprises – the commercial arm of the Beeb. Lovely Terry Sampson was there, Lorne Martin and the head honcho himself, Peter Dimmock. Obviously it’s a pleasure to be taken to lunch anyway, but beforehand Tom and I gossiped about why we were being summoned.

‘Maybe they just want to thank us for being amazing,’ he suggested.

‘Do you think so?’

‘Don’t be ridiculous!’

There always has to be a catch with the BBC – you just need to find out what it is.

We had a drink and a chit-chat before Terry broke the news.

‘We’d love you both to turn on this year’s Blackpool Illuminations.’

Crikey, I thought only famous people were invited to do that.’ But you are famous,’ they insisted. ‘And you’ll be even more famous once you’ve done this.’

Over the next few years we were followed by such luminaries as Terry Wogan, Kermit the Frog and Red Rum – which gives you an idea of how the Doctor and Sarah were viewed by the world at large.

Back at the Garrick, they really gave us the hard sell and I admit it was tempting (I’d already had a taste of what the Blackpool crowds could be like with Jon). Then I remembered Tangiers.

‘Look, I’m sorry, I’ve got to have a break. Tom doesn’t need me there – people only want to see the Doctor anyway.’

At this Peter Dimmock leapt straight in there. ‘Lis, we need you! Tom hasn’t really been established yet, you’re the one people know. You have to do it.’

Tom looked at me and said, ‘Well yes, I suppose that’s true. I’ve only been around five minutes. They love you, Elisabeth.’

I was flattered, certainly but was my ego more important than a few rare days away with my husband? Not even close.

‘Look, I’m sorry, I really am. But if I go to Blackpool I can’t take my break, and I really need it – I’m exhausted.’

Terry gave me his most diplomatic look. ‘Lis, I understand. Don’t make a decision now, talk it over with Brian – we’ll pay for him to go as well, obviously. Let us know tomorrow.’

‘Fine,’ I said. But my mind was already made up – I’d leave it twenty-four hours before giving them the bad news.

When I got home I was even more adamant that I’d soon be in Tangiers. Then the phone rang: it was Mum. She sounded like she’d won the pools.

‘Oh, Elisabeth,’ she gushed. ‘I’ve just had the most charming call from Terry Sampson. He has asked your dad and me to come down to Blackpool to watch you turn on the lights!’

‘Really?’

‘Oh yes, we can’t wait!’

I hung up, feeling thoroughly outmanoeuvred. Mum had never sounded happier. All I could think was, Sampson, you swine!

Chapter Ten

Over Here, Cloth-Eyes!

OF ALL the manipulative stunts! I could barely look at Terry Sampson after that. But he was as good as his word: Mum and Dad were picked up by limo and booked into one of Blackpool’s finest hotels. It was heart-warming to see them so thoroughly spoiled. I thought they were going to explode with pride when they saw the crowds calling out for me, too. Compared to this, my visit to the Exhibition’s opening with Jon had been a washout.

Being flat out in the middle of a consecutive second season, it was a real scramble to get ready. I didn’t have a minute to buy a new outfit. Fortunately I had the might of the BBC to help me out. Rowland Warne, the costume guy from Planet of the Spiders, really stepped up. He lent me this ornate antique shawl and a beautiful white lace dress that I absolutely adored. Afterwards he said I looked so stunning I should keep them, which was naughty but much appreciated. Later I altered the frock for Sadie to wear when she was playing the May Queen’s attendant – I put some ribbons around the sleeves to hike it up and trimmed it a bit. I’ve still got it.

Blackpool was actually a great experience. As well as my parents, Sampson had invited Ian Marter and David Maloney – I think Enterprises hoped he’d be able to keep us all in check. Brian came along as well, which gave it more of a holiday feel. He got on fabulously with Ian and Tom so it was a real party atmosphere, actually.

The plan was to have a big banquet with the Lord Mayor in the evening, spend the night in a hotel, then switch on the illuminations the next evening. Fine, I thought. I’m here now, I may as well enjoy it.

As we filed into the dining hall Tom said to me, ‘Lis, lucky you – you’re sitting next to the Mayor!’

Anyone else would think this was an honour. The way Tom had said it, though – I was waiting for the catch. I soon found it. The Mayor had just had an operation and for the whole duration of the meal I got a blow-by-blow account. Talk about putting you off your food! What made it worse was watching Tom up the other end of the table having the night of his life. If he dares to laugh at me, I swear I’ll throw my roll at his head! I thought.

Still, my problems weren’t as bad as Brian’s. They had him down as ‘Mr Sladen’ so the whole night he had to put up with people calling him by my surname. Luckily he’s got a grand sense of humour about these things.