The Daily Star has broken the sad news that Dr. Who writer Terrence Dicks has passed away at the age of 84.  The news was announced Monday afternoon on Twitter by writer Steve Cole. He passed away on Sunday, August 27, 2019. The cause of death has not yet been reported.

Dicks had worked on the popular BBC show from 1968 to 1974, and was arguably one of the most influential writers of the original series.  He wrote or co-wrote many episodes for Dr. Who, and served as script editor for 156 episodes. Many Britons remember him best for writing novelizations such as  Doctor Who and the Abominable Snowmen, and DW and the Genesis of the Daleks.The Doctor Who News Page described him as “arguably the most prolific contributor to Doctor Who“.

Fans of DW and other writers are remembering him not just for his influence on  TV shows about a time-travelling madman in a blue box or spies, but his influence on encouraging young people to read.

Btitish author Stephen Cole said ” I’m so sad that Doctor Who legend #TerranceDicks has died. I know how many authors he inspired, and how many millions he entertained as a writer, script-editor, producer and raconteur. I first met him at a library talk when I was eight and edited his final short story this year. “

Mr. Dicks wrote or edited numerous episodes of Doctor Who, but only appeared before the camera in one, episode 6 of Dr. Who and the Silurians, in 1970.

He also wrote scripts or served as a script editor for the 1984 Invisible Man, Moonbase 3, and the 1982 Hound of the Baskervilles, and the 1961 The Avengers.

He was nominated in 1987 for a BAFTA AWard for Best Children’s Programme for his work on David Copperfield. He was nominated for a CableACE Award in 1988 for Children’s Entertainment for The Diary of Anne Frank.

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Susan Macdonald
Susan Macdonald

Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress ”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions,  Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.