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October 13th, 2011 53 comments

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Elisabeth Sladen: The Autobiography

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


Categorised under: Autobiographies and biographies, Books

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53 comments

  • drwhofan4ever

    January 15th, 2015 - 10:58pm

    Who would have thought that it has been almost 4 years since she died

    Reply
  • RORY DOCTOR RIVER POND

    November 4th, 2012 - 9:47pm

    Just ordered this. Usually I don’t go for autobiographies, but for a school reading project I was asked to read an autobiography. It was a no brainer deciding what one to pick.

    Reply
  • WhoEleven

    December 21st, 2011 - 4:49pm

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

    Reply
    • Nicholas

      December 21st, 2011 - 4:57pm

      ha ha 😆

      My sister is getting it for me

  • charlie bowden

    November 19th, 2011 - 12:48pm

    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

    Reply
    • booboo

      November 19th, 2011 - 12:54pm

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

  • CGren123

    November 14th, 2011 - 10:20pm

    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

    Reply
    • booboo

      November 14th, 2011 - 10:27pm

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

  • River Song

    November 7th, 2011 - 6:09pm

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

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      November 7th, 2011 - 9:40pm

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

  • timelord22

    November 7th, 2011 - 5:55pm

    i can’t get over how much i miss her 🙁

    Reply
    • timelord22

      November 7th, 2011 - 5:56pm

      i should b eagerly awaiting series 6 now 🙁

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