Elisabeth Sladen

When Elisabeth Sladen debuted as journalist Sarah Jane Smith in 1973 Doctor Who story ‘The Time Warrior’, she had no idea that the character would become one of the most popular in the series’ history.

When she quit the TARDIS in 1976, having traversed space and time alongside Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, the story was front page news.

But you don’t just walk away from the Doctor. Elisabeth reprised her role many times, and went on to tour the weird and wonderful world of Doctor Who fandom. So when TV wunderkind Russell T. Davies approached her to come back again, this time to a show backed by multi-million pound budgets and garlanded with critical plaudits, how could she refuse?

Completed only months before her death in April 2011, Elisabeth’s memoir is funny, ridiculous, insightful and entertaining, and a fitting tribute to a woman who will be sadly missed by millions.