BBC One confirmed today that Terrance Dicks, one of the most prominent contributors to the beloved BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who, has died. The writer and script editor died at the age of 84. The official Doctor Who Twitter account released an update earlier today confirming the situation.
Terrance Dicks was an integral part of the original Doctor Who series, serving as series contributor for nearly two decades. He also took on the role of script editor for over 150 episodes of the original series. Dicks also wrote more than 60 novelizations of the Doctor Who series.
In the BBC One statement released today, Chris Chibnall, the showrunner and executive producer for the modern Doctor Who series, expressed his grief over the loss of Terrance Dicks, and his appreciation for all Dicks had done for the show.
“As writer and script editor, he was responsible for some of the show’s greatest moments and iconic creations,” Chibnall stated. “Doctor Who was lucky to have his talents. He will always be a legend of the show. Everyone working on Doctor Who sends his family and friends our love and condolences at this difficult time.”
Dicks discussed his contributions to the show in a 2013 interview with The Register. He expressed his drive to make the show happen on time. “My plan was to get the bloody show out, on the air!” he stated. “When people asked me: ‘What were your aims and ambitions for the show?’ I’d say: ‘That the BBC did not have to show the test card at 6pm on Saturday night.’”
Author Neil Gaiman, who also made script contributions to Doctor Who in 2011 and 2013, tweeted this morning about the loss of Terrance Dicks. Gaiman noted how inspired he was by Dicks’ writing.
Today, The Guardian release a profile on Terrance Dicks in honor of the writer’s passing. Dicks was born in East Ham, East London, in 1935. At the time of his death, Terrance Dicks was living with his wife Elsa in Hampstead, North London.