Elisabeth Sladen: The Autobiography

Elisabeth Sladen: The Autobiography

October 13th, 2011
51 comments


Elisabeth Sladen: The Autobiography

Foreword by David Tennant

The autobiography of Elisabeth Sladen, the actress behind Sarah Jane Smith, Doctor Who’s most popular companion

Published posthumously, with the support and participation of Elisabeth’s family, this is a warm and witty celebration of an actress who delighted generations of children and is fondly remembered by fans young and old alike

After returning to Doctor Who in 2006, Elisabeth starred in her own spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures, which became CBBC’s highest-rated show.

When Elisabeth Sladen first appeared as plucky journalist Sarah Jane Smith in 1973 Doctor Who story The Time Warrior, little did she know the character would become one of the most enduring and fondly remembered of the series’ long history.

The years that followed saw Elisabeth traverse time and space alongside classic Doctors Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, whilst a generation of children crouched behind the sofa, terrified but transfixed as their tea-time heroine found herself menaced by Daleks, dinosaurs, Cybermen, Egyptian mummies, extras in Bubble Wrap and even the Loch Ness Monster. By the time she quit the TARDIS in 1976, making front-page news, Elisabeth had become one of the most familiar faces of a TV golden age.

But you don’t just walk away from Doctor Who. Elisabeth was asked to reprise the role many times, appearing in anniversary specials; an ill-fated 1981 spin-off with robotic sidekick K-9; radio plays; and for the BBC’s Children in Need. She toured the weird, wide and wonderful world of Doctor Who fandom and became one of the series’ all-time favourite companions. So when TV wunderkind Russell T Davies approached her to come back again, this time to a Doctor Who backed by multi-million-pound budgets and garlanded with critical plaudits, how could she refuse?

This warm and witty autobiography, completed only months before Elisabeth died in April 2011, tells her remarkable story, from humble beginnings in post-war Liverpool, through an acclaimed theatrical career working alongside stage luminaries such as Alan Ayckbourn, to Coronation Street, Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em and the furthest reaches of the Universe.

A unique, insider’s view of the world’s longest running science fiction series, and of British television yesterday and today, Elisabeth’s memoir is funny, ridiculous, insightful and entertaining and a fitting tribute to a woman who will be sadly missed by millions.

Elisabeth Sladen played Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures. She also appeared in Coronation Street, Z-Cars and Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em among others, and enjoyed a long, successful and very happy career in the theatre. She died in April 2011.

Released 7th November 2011.

With thanks to Aurum Press



Filed under: Autobiographies, Books

51 Responses to Elisabeth Sladen: The Autobiography

  1. Posted by: WhoEleven December 21st, 2011 Reply

    I accidently found this among my other christmas presents (accident!)
    cant wait!


    • Posted by: Nicholas December 21st, 2011

      ha ha :lol:

      My sister is getting it for me


  2. Posted by: charlie bowden November 19th, 2011 Reply

    booboo on the adventure games paghe you haven’t put up instrujctions for episode four and five
    can you do them because i want to have allthe guides to the adventure games!

    and can you make a guidefor the mazes of time


    • Posted by: booboo November 19th, 2011

      its only Luke that can do that and he has very little time at the moment


  3. Posted by: CGren123 November 14th, 2011 Reply

    I’ve read this, and I must say it was an exceptional book. The forward by David Tennant is brilliant. The intro and afterwood by the Millers is touching and heartbreaking.

    As is expected, she talks a fair bit about her time on Dr Who, but she also mentions her entire career, her “retirement” to raise Sadie, convention appearances, etc. What surprised me though, was how often she wrote “bloody”! It’s an exceptional read, not surprising considering it’s the story of an exceptional woman.

    Rest in Peace, Elisabeth


    • Posted by: booboo November 14th, 2011

      we got ours today and i have just skipped through a few bits and it fascinating and very surprising in places


  4. Posted by: River Song November 7th, 2011 Reply

    I went to WH Smith today and they didn’t have it, very rude indeed.


    • Posted by: Anonymous November 7th, 2011

      Give it a few days if you have no luck after that your best bet is to order it


  5. Posted by: timelord22 November 7th, 2011 Reply

    i can’t get over how much i miss her :(


    • Posted by: timelord22 November 7th, 2011

      i should b eagerly awaiting series 6 now :(


  6. Posted by: jack October 30th, 2011 Reply

    i shall get this.


    • Posted by: Doom Dalek October 31st, 2011

      me too I really miss her –
      n


  7. Pingback:Doctor Who Star to Have Memoir Published – The Doctor Who Site News

  8. Posted by: emily doctor who fan October 23rd, 2011 Reply

    OHH THAT LOOKS GOOD :smile:


  9. Posted by: ross campbell October 21st, 2011 Reply

    I remember the end of the last sontaran when she says ‘If you are missing someone just look up at the stars’ thats what i do when i think of my friend lilli jane who is now down under and boy do i miss both her and Lis. Does anyone else feel that way?


    • Posted by: Doctor’s Little Companion (Was Madboy With a Box) October 26th, 2011

      yeah. its so sad shes gone, and same with the show,finished. why did it have to be Elizabeth Sladen. why her!!!!!?????



    • Posted by: booboo October 17th, 2011

      articles from Wikipedia and published as books.


  11. Posted by: Anonymous October 16th, 2011 Reply

    RIP elizabeth you will be terribly missed


  12. Posted by: TrialOfTheZygons October 16th, 2011 Reply

    Rip lis:cry:


    • Posted by: TrialOfTheZygons October 16th, 2011

      :cry:


  13. Posted by: DoctorWho4Eva October 15th, 2011 Reply

    I’m going to buy this. She was a great actress off our generation and has inspired loads of people around the world. Other than that, she was kind and a very loving person. RIP Liz. You will forever be ‘Sarah Jane Smith’


  14. Posted by: ross campbell October 15th, 2011 Reply

    I miss her so much and i think what dvid has done has nearly brought a tear to my eye.


  15. Posted by: The Doctor October 15th, 2011 Reply

    :cry: So sad she had to die. I loved her in SJA aswell as doctor who. She was epic. R.I.P Elizebeth Sladen.


  16. Posted by: Doctor’s Little Companion (Was Madboy With a Box) October 15th, 2011 Reply

    how nice of david tennant


    • Posted by: Doom Dalek October 16th, 2011

      Yes It Is So Nice I Miss Her


    • Posted by: LUKE SMITH October 25th, 2011

      I SO MISS HER SHE WITH DAVID TENNANT


  17. Posted by: doccywho11 October 14th, 2011 Reply

    i shall have to get this, ver sad that shes died


  18. Posted by: Liason Ice October 14th, 2011 Reply

    Looks like a very interesting read


  19. Posted by: Jason doctorwhoone October 14th, 2011 Reply

    Would love to buy this for my younger sister for Christmas, i feel she misses Elisabeth more then i do.


  20. Posted by: Jonathan October 13th, 2011 Reply

    I like the new cover and what a wonderful tribute


  21. Posted by: WhoEleven October 13th, 2011 Reply

    This looks like a billiant book and i WILL get it.
    Does anyone know where i can order this from?

    ( R.I.P Elizabeth Sladen )


    • Posted by: Andrew Blakey October 14th, 2011

      If anyone is wondering where you can order this book. you can order it from your local Waterstones or W.H. Smiths or even from Amazon.co.uk


    • Posted by: WhoEleven October 16th, 2011

      Thanks


    • Posted by: Andrew Blakey October 17th, 2011

      No problem


  22. Posted by: Andrew Blakey October 13th, 2011 Reply

    I have already ordered my copy last week. I really like the cover that is what I call a cover what a lovely picture of Lis.


  23. Posted by: TARDIS October 13th, 2011 Reply

    what does it mean foreword


    • Posted by: booboo October 13th, 2011

      Is basically and introduction to the book


  24. Posted by: gary October 13th, 2011 Reply

    I am getting this, definately. I love Lis so will get it!


  25. Posted by: Nicholas October 13th, 2011 Reply

    I shall definitely get this

    RIP Lis


  26. Posted by: dr who fan 4 ever October 13th, 2011 Reply

    thank god its out before my birthday


  27. Posted by: Brit October 13th, 2011 Reply

    Ah, what a lovely cover. I pre-ordered mine about a year ago. Definitely a bittersweet read.


  28. Posted by: K9 October 13th, 2011 Reply

    Already got mine ordered


  29. Posted by: McGann is the Doctor. October 13th, 2011 Reply

    Wasn’t she great in Dr Who ? I’ve her in quite afew stories, my favourites of hers are the Monster of Peladon, :D Ark in Space Brain of Morbius, and Masque of Mandragora.

    Looking forward to the Android Invasion on DVD ! Aswell as Seeds of Doom and Planet of Evil which I’ll be watching along with them. :)


    • Posted by: Gary October 13th, 2011

      She was, and i lover the Sarah Jane Adventures, so sad it had to end this way


  30. Posted by: The master October 13th, 2011 Reply

    i am so glad they changed the cover from the spider one, it will be sad to read this in a way


  31. Posted by: David October 13th, 2011 Reply

    Amazing Cover, this is one book i will buy


  32. Posted by: doctorwhofan27 October 13th, 2011 Reply

    I hope to get this. May she rest in peace.


  33. Posted by: Tony Hind April 5th, 2010 Reply

    She has worked with so may “who” poeple thsi should be fascinating


  34. Posted by: Sja Fan April 5th, 2010 Reply

    This is going to be a must read for me


  35. Posted by: Juddon Platoon April 5th, 2010 Reply

    This looks a good read


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