Fantom Publishing releases Who's There in hardback and audioBookmark and Share

Thursday, 21 November 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster
With the broadcast of An Adventure in Space and Time tonight, Fantom Publishing have announced the release of Who's There? The Life and Career of William Hartnell, Jessica Carney's biography of her grandfather, both on audio narrated by Hartnell companion Anneke Wills and the republication of the book in hardback.

FANTOM PUBLISHES WILLIAM HARTNELL BIOGRAPHY

Saturday 23rd November 1963 saw the broadcast of the very first episode of Doctor Who. Little did they realise that some 50 years later the BBC TV programme would be one of the most popular series on television, watched by over 165 million people worldwide!

As the twelfth incumbent of the TARDIS takes charge this Christmas, our attention turns to the first actor to play the Doctor in those first black and white years…

From light musical comedy to a succession of mean crooks and bullying sergeant-majors, William Hartnell’s long and varied career included a number of iconic British films including Carry On Sergeant, This Sporting Life and Brighton Rock. However, it is for his role as a time-travelling eccentric that he is most fondly remembered.

With the broadcast of a docudrama Adventures in Space and Time, chronicling the genesis of Doctor Who and the life of William Hartnell, Fantom have published a biography of the actor, written by his granddaughter Jessica Carney entitled Who’s There.

"A fascinating and very moving account of a complicated and talented actor. William Hartnell rose from the humblest beginnings to become a heavyweight screen star and, ultimately, an unlikely hero to millions of children as the first Doctor Who.” Says writer and actor Mark Gatiss. “In this 50th anniversary year, it's wonderful to see how Jessica Carney pulls together all the threads of a tangled life in such a sympathetic but honest fashion. Bill was no saint but he emerges as a fully-rounded, difficult and fascinating personality in this splendid biography.”

Hartnell played the very first Doctor from 1963 – 1966, pitting his wits again many foes and monsters including the Daleks and the Cybermen, laying the foundations for what was to become a global institution.

Jessica Carney’s closely researched biography of her grandfather includes stories from many of the hundreds of stars of stage and screen with whom he worked, among them Richard Attenborough, Verity Lambert, Bob Monkhouse, Carole Ann Ford, David Langton and Lindsay Anderson.

Who’s There: The Life and Career of William Hartnell is now available from Fantom Publishing in hardback and on Audio, read by companion actress Anneke Wills.

Who's There? The Life and Career of William Hartnell (book) (Credit: Fantom Publishing) Anneke Wills reading Who's There? The Life and Career of William Hartnell (Credit: Fantom Publishing) Who's There? The Life and Career of William Hartnell (audiobook) (Credit: Fantom Publishing)

Competition

We have three signed copies of the book up for grabs for readers in the United Kingdom, courtesy of Fantom Publishing. To be in with a chance, simply answer the following question:
An Adventure in Space and Time delves into the origins of Doctor Who and William Hartnell's involvement with the show - but on which day in 1963 was the contract issued to the man who would bring the First Doctor to life and launch a 50 year old legend?
Send your answer to comp-whosthere@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Today, I've Come Back", along with your name, address, and where you read about the competition. In addition, if you wish for a personalised message in the book please include that in your entry.

The competition is only open to residents within the United Kingdom, and the closing date is Friday 29th November 2013.




FILTER: - Competitions - Books - WHO50