December 28th
The first proper appearance of the Daleks took place on this day in 1963 during episode 2 of The Daleks (entitled The Survivors). 6.0 million viewers watched the pepper-pots shuffle onto screen and begin their assault on 1960s British culture. 5 years later and 9 million people tuned in to see the Second Doctor beginning a new adventure with The Krotons.
Tom Baker was briefly seen at the end of Planet Of The Spiders, but his time as the Fourth Doctor began for real on this day in 1974 when 10.8 million viewers tuned in to part one of Robot. One more classic Doctor Who story from this day, and it comes from the Seventh Doctor. Part three of The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, the penultimate episode of season 25, was broadcast in 1988 and watched by 4.8 million viewers.
Also on this day in 1981 the first ever Doctor Who spin-off appeared on British TV. After axing the robot dog from the main series John Nathan-Turner threw him a bone in the shape of K-9 and Company. The single episode called A Girl's Best Friend attracted a healthy audience of 8.4 million viewers, before the whole idea was quietly put to sleep.
December 29th
Part three of The Time Warrior was broadcast this day in 1973 and watched by 6.6 million viewers. The Fourth Doctor added 2.2 million more to that figure when part two of The Horns of Nimon was broadcast 6 years later.
December 30th
On this day in 1967 7.6 million people were watching Patrick Troughton working overtime portraying duel roles in The Enemy of the World. Also on this day episode one of the story that everyone wrongly believes to be a Tenth Anniversary Special arrived 11 months before that momentous date - The Three Doctors united for an audience of 9.6 million viewers. Finally, on this day in 1978 part two of the Fourth Doctor adventure The Power of Kroll was broadcast to a mighty impressive 12.4 million viewers.
December 31st
Just one episode broadcast on this day to date, and it's from a story that is sadly missing, presumed wiped. The Second Doctor saw the New Year in with young Jamie McCrimmon when The Highlanders episode 3 was broadcast in 1966 to a welcoming audience of 7.4 million viewers.
January 1st
Episode 8 of The Daleks' Master Plan (entitled Volcano) aired in 1966, Only the fortunate 9.6 million viewers have seen it as it is amongst the currently missing episodes. Season 9 of Doctor Who got underway on this day in 1972 when episode one of Day of the Daleks was first broadcast to an audience of 9.8 million Pertwee loving viewers.
Season 14 of Doctor Who took a six week break in the middle of it's run. 10.7 million people tuned in to see the Fourth Doctor resume his adventures on this day in 1977 with the opening episode of The Face of Evil.
Finally, he didn't want to go, but in part two of The End of Time he had to! David Tennant said his goodbyes to all his friends and companions whilst 12.27 million people reached for a hanky.
January 2nd
The First Doctor began a two-part adventure on this day in 1965. Part one of The Rescue (entitled The Powerful Enemy) was watched by a huge audience of 12 million. Take a trip in a Type 40 to 1971 and 7.3 million people were introduced to the Master for the very first time on this day, when episode one of Terror of the Autons was broadcast
January 3rd
8.4 million viewers saw Doctor Who venture into a world of colour, when the brand new Third Doctor fell out of the TARDIS on this day in 1970 during episode 1 of Spearhead From Space.
Three more part one's were broadcast on this day. In 1976 we have The Brain of Morbius, 1981 saw Warrior's Gate begin, and 1983 it was Arc of Infinity. Respectively they were watched by 9.5 million, 7.1 million and 7.2 million
That's it for this week - a week of new beginnings and tearful endings. Did you watch any of these adventures live? We'd love to hear your memories about any of them. Tell us in the comments below.
Until next Sunday...
